Every June, Columbus REALTORS® members join forces with area associations across central Ohio for the organization’s biggest single day of service. REALTOR® Care Day 2023 marked the 19th installment of the event, and for the second straight year, the Linden community took center stage as the site of the day’s main project.
With the glistening new Linden Community Center serving as the hub, REALTORS® were dispatched to eight different homes in the area surrounding the Community Center in addition to a beautification and landscaping project at the Linden Park Early Childhood Education Center.
Columbus REALTORS® president Patti Brown-Wright was overwhelmed by the display of volunteerism from friends and colleagues.
“This is a big day for Columbus REALTORS®, and a lot of planning goes into something of this scale,” said Brown-Wright. “To see so many of our members take time out of their week to volunteer in their communities is a great feeling. Thank you to everyone who donated their time (and sweat). It was an amazing day!”
The 2023 REALTOR® Care Day committee co-chairs are Addie Davis-Holsinger, Tom Nichols, and Tina Schreck. The trio put in countless hours, along with the rest of the committee, to ensure the day was successful.
“This started in 2005, and now we have established larger areas where we can make an even bigger impact,” said co-chair Addie Davis-Holsinger. It’s great to see how far we have come.”
“Our realtors and affiliates have done a wonderful job,” said co-chair Tom Nichols. “No matter how much we think we are prepared, we always have to adapt on the fly. Once the projects are done, it’s a testament to the quality of the realtor community and the commitment to the project.”
Over 150 members attended and volunteered at the main project in Linden, including activities for children who painted rocks and flower pots used in a rock garden at the elementary school.
Nearly 40 miles away from the main project, in any given direction, you could find local area associations completing their own REALTOR® Care Day projects.
“I’m never surprised by the passion and commitment of our members,” stated Columbus REALTORS® CEO Brent Swander, who spent the day traveling to several area association projects.
“Seeing it all come together in one beautiful day all over our great city is inspiring. We have tremendous people who care deeply about the neighborhoods that they live and work in.”
Area Association Spotlight
The Bexley, Eastmoor, & Berwick Association will be completed a beautification project at Jeffrey Park in Bexley. Working with the Bexley Bloomers, a local nonprofit supporting the park.
Big Walnut Area Realty Association assembled blanket kits at Vineyard Church in Sunbury and donated funds to support the United Way Youth Transitional Housing program.
Columbus Commercial Industrial & Investment Realtors (CCIIR) teamed with Homeport to clean up two daycare/early learning facilities managed by Homeport. Work included painting, landscaping, and general repairs at Georges Creek Apartments and Pheasant Run Apartments in Reynoldsburg.
The Columbus Realtist Association volunteered at the main project located at and around the Linden Community Center.
The Delaware County Board of Realtors landscaped, painted, and washed windows and other general repairs at two different homes.
The Greater Worthington Area Realtors Association assisted a local homeowner with landscaping and provided Smoky Row Food Pantry with outdoor beautification.
The Grove City Area Realty Association supported the Life Care Alliance/Meals on Wheels, & Columbus Cancer Clinic with hot meals, groceries, and frozen meal delivery.
The Hilliard Area Realty Association assisted at a summer day camp for kids.
The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) led the “Clean Up Columbus.”
The Lewis Center Realty Association installed a “Little Free Library” at Dooley’s Orchard located at Dooley’s Orchard Apartments in Lewis Center.
Madison County Area Association volunteered at the Madison County Humane Society, donating food and supplies while cleaning and completing maintenance projects.
The Powell Area Realty Association volunteered at Stockhands Horses for Healing, a nonprofit that uses equine therapy to support veterans and individuals with developmental disabilities. Volunteers created an outdoor respite area with picnic tables and new landscaping.
The Midtown Area Real Estate Association (MAREA) planted plants and conducted multiple painting projects at Rickenbacker Woods Foundation & Learning Center.
The Marion County Realtors Association is donated food to the local food bank and worked in a soup kitchen at the Marion First Church of the Nazarene.
The Marysville Area Realty Association conducted multiple projects in the area at the Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Impact Station homeless shelter, and Neighbor2Neighbor. This local organization helps senior residents age in place.
The North Area Real Estate Association completed beautification projects on two homes in Columbus.
The Northwest Area Realty Association completed a beautification project on Sheringham Rd. in Columbus.
The Tri-County Area Realty Association (Reynoldsburg) stained and painted a shelter house, upgraded the parking area, and mulched the VFW Post 9472.
The Greater Dublin Realty Association sorted items at the Welcome Warehouse and took items to the free shop operated by “One Dublin”.
The Women’s Council of Realtors volunteered at a home on Briarwood Ave. as a part of the “main project” in Linden.
