REALTOR® Association’s “Little House” Raises Big Money for Habitat for Humanity

May 25, 2012 - PRLog -- It stands only 16 inches tall, but a little blue house owned by the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS® (HGAR) has already raised thousands of dollars for Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing for Hudson Valley families.

The 16” x 24” model house is ready to go “on the road” again this Spring and Summer to HGAR member offices that will “adopt” the house for two weeks.  During this time, the offices will display the house and use it to develop creative ways to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity.

Last year, one office set up the house at a yard sale, and raised nearly $2,000.  Other offices held 50/50 raffles, bake sales, book sales or raffles on gift baskets.

The concept of the traveling Habitat house originated from the former Orange County Association of REALTORS® (OCAR), where the house made the rounds throughout REALTOR® offices in Orange County.  This year, as part of HGAR, the house will also be available to member offices in Orange, Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland counties.

“Displaying the model Habitat house at our member offices helps to keep Habitat’s mission at the top of mind,” said Ann Garti, COO of the Hudson Gateway Multiple Listing Services and former OCAR CEO.  “That little house reminds us all of the important work that Habitat does in helping to provide decent, affordable homes for families in our area.”

HGAR plans to help its member offices promote their Habitat fundraiser through its website, Facebook, Twitter, and E-newsletters.  This year, the traveling Habitat house will have a new twist – the office that raises the most money by the end of the year will win a pizza party, courtesy of HGAR.

“Staying involved with Habitat for Humanity is our way of giving something back to the local communities that we serve,” said Richard Haggerty, HGAR CEO.

Those member offices interested in displaying the Habitat House can contact Michelle Gilliard at michelle.gilliard@hgar.com.

The Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS® (HGAR) is a not-for-profit trade association covering over 9,000 real estate professionals doing business in Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, and Orange counties.   HGAR is comprised of the former Westchester Putnam Association of REALTORS® (WPAR), Rockland County Board of REALTORS® (RCBR) and Orange County Association of REALTORS® (OCAR).