Realtor® Associations Raise More Than $63,000 During Realtors® Reach Out Month

From annual 5K runs to food drives, 23 local Realtor® associations came together to host charity events that raised funds and aided essential services for families and neighbors in need last month.

The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors® sponsored the annual Realtors® Reach Out month-long event in October. This statewide initiative highlights Realtors®’ commitment to community service. Together, Realtor® associations raised more than $63,000, gathered food for Thanksgiving food drives, volunteered at charitable organizations and collected hundreds of coats, hats and mittens for those in need this year.

The Reading-Berks Association of Realtors® held its 6^th Annual 5K Run for Shelter, benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Berks County and Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Berks, Inc. The association raised $9,600.

“Two things stand out from this year’s 5K — we raised the most sponsorship money ever and had the most registered runners ever,” says Darren Kostival, chair of the 5K Run for Shelter Task Force and a Realtor® with RE/MAX of Reading. “Mother Nature gave us a pretty amazing day!”

The Realtors® Association of York and Adams Counties hosted its annual Homeless Outreach event, where they assisted 137 individuals and had 30 service providers from York County on-site.

“Each year, our goal is simple — to lend a hand up to our neighbors in need. Thanks to the incredible support of LifePath Christian Ministries, Asbury Church, our volunteers, service providers and human service agencies, we were able to connect more than 130 guests with essential resources, warm meals, haircuts, clothing and hope. It’s a true reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to care for one another!” noted Selina Robinson, 2025 RAYAC president and Hands on Helper Committee chair.

Members of the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors®’ Diversity and Community Involvement Committee have been working to fill Blessing Boxes over the past several months. The Blessing Boxes are small food pantries that operate on a self-service basis, relying on the honor system. Those in need can take goods, and others in the community can stock them with goods. Proceeds from GLVR’s professional headshot event enabled members to stock the Blessing Boxes with shelf-stable foods.

“Realtors® do more than guide buyers and sellers; they are committed neighbors who give back,” said PAR President Bill Lublin. “Across the commonwealth, real estate professionals are reaching out to lend a hand in a variety of ways. Through volunteer projects, charity events and ongoing service initiatives, Realtors® invest time and energy into improving the places their clients call home.”

Local associations sponsoring activities during Realtor® Reach Out month included:

• Allegheny Highland Association – Held a fundraiser for the Salvation Army.
• Bradford Sullivan Board – Held a Community Food Drive.
• Bucks County Association – Holding a Thanksgiving Dinner Drive.
• Cambria Somerset Association – Held a Thanksgiving food drive.
• Central Susquehanna Valley Board – Collecting and distributing gift cards to food cupboards in their five-county area.
• Clearfield Jefferson Association – Held an annual food drive for local food banks, food pantries and Salvation Army.
• Elk Cameron Board – Collected donations for the Guy and Mary Feld Manor and the Warm Blanket Program.
• Fayette Board – Held a food drive to benefit the local Salvation Army and a celebrity bartender event to benefit Laurel House.
• Greater Erie Board – Hosted Bingo Plus fundraising event to benefit Home for Fire/Rescue Training.
• Greater Harrisburg Association – Partnered with Brethren Housing Association, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Rebuilding Together, Family Promise, and Wildheart Ministries to provide volunteers for a variety of activities.
• Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors® – Filled Blessing Boxes, which are small food pantries that operate on the honor system, held a reception for members to learn about Lily’s Hope and Safe Harbor and gathered donations for the organizations.
• Greater Philadelphia Association – Volunteering at Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance.
• Greater Scranton Board – Volunteered for St. Joe’s Telethon and at CHOP Out Hunger in Scranton.
• Lancaster County Association – Hosting a trivia fundraiser to raise funds for the Transitional Living Center.
• Lawrence County Board – Collecting items for Challenges: Options for Aging for gift bags to be delivered to family members caring for a housebound loved one.
• Luzerne County Association – Volunteering with the Weinberg Food Bank to fill food boxes and stock the pantry.
• Reading-Berks Association – Hosting annual 5K Run for Shelter to benefit Habitat for Humanity and Neighborhood Housing Services, and an annual food drive.
• Realtors® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh – Volunteering to clean up a community flower garden with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, preparing and serving more than 150 lunches at a North Side church and holding a clothing drive for winter items to donate to area agencies for the unhoused and less fortunate.
• Realtors® Association of York and Adams Counties – Hosting annual Homeless Outreach Event, partnering with human service organizations.
• Schuylkill County Board – Held a flower arranging class to raise money for St. Joseph’s Center for Special Learning.
• Tri-County Suburban Realtors® – Holding an annual coat drive for the Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia.
• Washington-Greene Association of Realtors – Held a food drive for the Community Circle Food Pantry.
• West Branch Valley Association – Volunteered at the Central PA Food Bank to pack boxes.