RISMEDIA, Oct. 30, 2007-Realogy Corporation announced that the Realogy Charitable Foundation will distribute 100% of all funds raised by employees, agents, vendors, partners and even friends of Realogy Corporation in support of the Southern California Wildfires Relief efforts underway by the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Direct Relief International. In Southern California’s seven counties designated as emergency areas, Realogy has more than 1,500 employees, 28,000 sales associates and 650 offices, including company-owned offices and franchise affiliates. The Realogy Charitable Foundation will match employee donations up to an aggregate $100,000.
“At this point, it is too soon to assess the full impact on our colleagues in Southern California, but this disaster has hit home for us, and we’re doing everything within our power to reach out to our colleagues and to raise awareness and funds for all the victims affected by the fires,” said Richard A. Smith, vice chairman and president of Realogy Corporation. “I encourage anyone who is able to join us in our fundraising efforts to help all those communities and people who so desperately need our support.”
The Realogy Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity supporting the philanthropic and volunteer activities of Realogy Corporation and its family of companies in the communities where the Company has a presence. The Foundation is incorporated in Delaware and its tax ID is 20-0755090.
To make a donation through the Realogy Charitable Foundation, click here. This portal is a secure online donation system that allows any individual to use a credit card or electronic check. All gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law, and individuals should consult their tax professional to determine the amount they can claim as a tax deductible contribution.
To help the affected communities in Southern California, Realogy carefully considered the charities currently responding to the crisis, and identified the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and Direct Relief International as the three options for designating donations raised through its Foundation.
In addition, Realogy’s company-owned brokerage operations in the Greater San Diego, Temecula Valley and Desert Regions set up 27 of its Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office locations in San Diego as drop-off points for needed items that will be forwarded to the American Red Cross or delivered to local evacuation shelters. These local real estate offices are also available to provide free office services such as telephone, fax and copying services to anyone who has been displaced by the fire and requires assistance in making insurance claims or conducting other fire-related business.
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in San Diego has also initiated a free Rental Assistance Program for people who have lost their homes and are seeking rental options while they rebuild or find new a new home.
They are asking anyone who has housing available for rent to contact a Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office so their housing can be added to a master list of rental housing being compiled and disseminated by the company.
“I commend the tremendous efforts being made by all the hard-working individuals in our local brokerage companies,” said Smith. “We know that some of our affiliated agents have already lost their homes, and our franchisees have also extended their support to those displaced agents within their brand families to directly help them on a personal level, and for that I couldn’t be prouder.”
For more information, visit www.realogy.com.
