Realtors® ring for the Salvation Army

Realtors® were ringing for the Salvation Army last week, raising money for their local communities.

More than 250 Realtors® from 15 local associations participated in the national Ring Day held the first Friday of every December. Ring Day debuted in 2010 with Minnesota and North Dakota Realtors® ringing bells on a single day. The event has grown each year as Realtors® from more states make this a national Christmas tradition.

Each local Salvation Army office provides programs and services unique to the needs of their communities. Offices operate Red Kettle campaigns and money raised stays in each community to support their local efforts.

“It’s awesome that so many of our Realtors® volunteered their time to help the Salvation Army,” said PAR President Todd Polinchock. “Realtors® make a difference when they work together.”

“It was such a rewarding experience to participate in Realtor® Ring Day. Many people stopped to share their personal stories regarding the Salvation Army, and how they were there to assist in their time of need,” said Jennifer Luzik from the Greater Allegheny-Kiski Area Board of Realtors®. “The donations from the public were phenomenal! We raised a total of 1,453 that will be put to good use in our local communities.”

Greater Mercer County Association of Realtors® President Julie Cylenica said, “Participating in Ring Day is a fun way to meet our association’s community service requirement and we were located near the Santa’s booth so we enjoyed the children visiting Santa. We had about 20 Realtors® involved and they all had a good time.”

Realtors® from the Realtors® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh again manned the phones for a Salvation Army telethon and donated $3,500 to the charity.

Local associations that participated in Ring Day include:

• Beaver County
• Butler County
• Bucks County
• Cambria Somerset
• Central Susquehanna Valley
• Fayette
• Greater Allegheny-Kiski Area
• Greater Lehigh Valley
• Greater Mercer
• Luzerne County
• Reading-Berks
• Realtors® Association of Metro. Pittsburgh
• Realtors® Association of Westmoreland, Indiana and Mon Valley
• Warren
• West Branch