WHEN NVAR CHAIRMAN BOB ADAMSON was installed in December 2016, he announced his theme for 2017: NVAR Cares. This year, NVAR members and staff have been taking caring to a new level, and there has been a significant impact. We do know why our members volunteer: THEY CARE, and they are #MoreThanRealtors.

Each effort put forth made a difference – to someone, some group, some neighborhood, some pets, some passion that our members care about.

In addition to April’s Community Action Day successes, NVAR members volunteered at two Habitat for Humanity ReStores and dispatched an NVAR Cares team to a Herndon townhouse. Plus, a team of NVAR Young Professional Network volunteers helped Second Story for Homeless Youth move to a new location. Check out the photos on the next page.

Perhaps the crown jewel of the NVAR Cares achievement list is the creation of NVAR’s first ever Hero Award. The following stories of award candidates prove that NVAR members care about community, lifestyle, prospering neighborhoods and family life.

HERO AWARD NOMINEES

The NVAR Hero Award recognizes members who have gone above and beyond to make a difference to others. Each of the candidates nominated has made significant contributions to our community and continues to improve the lives of others. We are thankful and proud to support NVAR members who continue to exemplify leadership in volunteering, organizing charitable work and providing valuable resources.

The following five candidates were nominated by their peers and are excellent examples of what it means to be an NVAR Hero.


Stacy Hennessey has been involved with Homestretch for 18 years and currently serves on its board of directors. The goal of Homestretch is to empower homeless families to obtain permanent housing and achieve self-sufficiency, by giving them the skills, knowledge and hope they need to be productive participants in the community. This year Stacy organized an auction that raised more than $100,000 for the organization.



Since 2006 Sasala Challa has donated nearly $300,000 to various undergrad and post-graduate scholarship programs and research organizations. In addition to supporting programs across the country, Sasala also provides funding for the Challa Foundation, which contributes to higher education and research institutions.






Nichloas Pasquini Jr. is the chairman of the board for Redwood Gives Back, a charitable platform for Century 21 Redwood. A recent example of the work Nicholas and his team have accomplished includes raising $50,000 to build homes for Haitian families impacted by the 2010 earthquake.






Ed Huebner has been a Realtor® for more than 30 years, during which he has contributed time to several volunteer efforts and thousands in donations to charitable institutions. Some of the organizations Ed has been involved with include The Bethany House, the 29 Diner Christmas Gifts for Children Program. This year, he was a major part of the Centreville Moose Lodge efforts to fill a semi-truck with supplies for victims of Hurricane Harvey.



Mary Ann Burstein has led volunteer efforts at the Arlington Animal Shelter, Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter, Arlington Food Assistance Center and several City of Falls Church Arts and Humanitarian events. Mary also encouraged Long & Foster Falls Church colleagues to expand their volunteerism, and the office now participates in a volunteer activity each month.