Realogy Holdings Corp., a global provider of real estate services, announced that the Realogy Charitable Foundation donated $188,800 to 92 Realogy employees and Realogy brand-affiliated brokers/agents who were affected by Hurricane Sandy, as well as to the American Red Cross.
Specifically, the Realogy Charitable Foundation launched a campaign inviting Realogy’s employees, and affiliated brokers and agents to help one another through the storm, following the IRS ruling of Hurricane Sandy as a qualified disaster, which enabled the Foundation to donate directly to individuals. The Foundation distributed 100 percent of the $128,800 collected directly to its 92 impacted employees, brokers and sales associates. Prior to this ruling, the Foundation donated $60,000 to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy Relief, which included a matching donation of $25,000 from Realogy Holdings Corp (see photo).
“Through the generosity of our people, the Realogy Charitable Foundation facilitated a campaign that targeted funds directly toward our families whose homes or property were damaged by Hurricane Sandy,” says Richard A. Smith, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Realogy. “We are proud to provide support to the communities that are working hard to rebuild in the aftermath of this disaster.”
Kathy O’Donnell who lives in Monmouth County, N.J., and is a sales associate at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Preferred Properties in Rumson, N.J., plans to use the funds to correct her home’s electrical box that was underwater during Hurricane Sandy, since this was not covered by insurance or FEMA. O’Donnell said, “During these difficult times it is the outreach of others that helps people get back on their feet. Your kindness has touched our heart.”
“Thank you for the generous gift from the Realogy Charitable Foundation for the loss of our home from Hurricane Sandy,” says Susan Laymon of Childers Sotheby’s International Realty in Bayhead, N.J. “It is wonderful and reassuring to be affiliated with a company that acknowledges and helps their colleagues in times like this.”
“On behalf of my wife, Judy Burton, and myself, we very much appreciate the grant awarded us by the Realogy Charitable Foundation to help us recover from Hurricane Sandy,” Bob Kievit, branch vice president of the Howell office of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. “The grant will certainly make a difference as we continue to work toward moving back home.”
The Realogy Charitable Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation operates through a network of local chapters across the nation to coordinate the philanthropy of Realogy employees as well as the independent sales associates affiliated with Realogy and its brands.
Additionally, many of the Company’s offices across the country participated as drop-off points for donations of clothing, food and cleaning supplies that were delivered to the affected areas.
For more information, visit www.realogy.com.