Coldwell Banker doles out proceeds back to community
Four Beach organizations were the recipients of monetary community support from Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Officials from the Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis, Beach Elementary School, Find a Home, Give a Home Pet Rescue Organization and the Fort Myers Beach Art Association were handed $7,500 in checks for general fund purposes.
According to Coldwell Banker Managing Broker Gary Anderson, the majority of the donated money comes from Santini Marina Plaza parking proceeds accumulated from sand sculpting events near the 7205 Estero Blvd. location, while the remainder is collected through agent contributions. All of it is lumped into the Coldwell Banker CARES Foundation, the charitable arm of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate.
“We accumulate this through the money we charge for parking at Santini when there are events near by and also by each Coldwell Banker agent contributing a portion of every commission they have to our Cares Foundation,” said Anderson. “Once that all funnels in there, we disperse the money once a year.”
Beach Kiwanis President Bill Pearson received three separate $1,000 checks for his organization’s scholarship fund. He said the money would be used as individual academic scholarships for four-year college students.
“We issue about 30 to 40 individual scholarships a year, so the money will go into that pot,” said Pearson. “We appreciate the contribution very much. We are heavily involved in providing scholarships to primarily kids on the Beach, but we also go a little bit beyond the Beach.”
Beach Elementary Principal Larry Wood always enjoys receiving support from the Beach community and thanked Coldwell Banker for the $3,000 check.
“This is just amazing. This money will go to our general fund so that we can attach it to either reading, our Math Month program or before-school programs,” said Wood. “Coldwell Banker has just been so good to our kids over the years. We just really appreciate all of the support.”
Find a Home, Give a Home Co-founder Isabelle Wells was happy to receive a $1,000 check. She said the money would help in the rescue organization’s spaying and neutering as well as provide food for cats, dogs and other animals.
“I’m so thrilled about receiving this check. It’s great support from Coldwell Banker,” said Wells. “Everything helps.”
FMBAA First Vice President Corky Condon said the $500 check she received would go towards the “Paint The Beach” event put on during this week and the gala in the big tent at Santini Marina Plaza on Friday evening.
“Our art association also provides scholarships for graduating high school students that will continue their education in the arts,” said Condon. “That is one of our missions, and this is one of our fundraisers. It is great to see the community help out with that endeavor.”
Principal Wood applauded every one at Coldwell Banker due to their active part in the parking lot fee collections.
“These are just wonderful people not just because they are giving us money, but because they are actually parking cars on their own time to support the Beach kids,” he said.
Anderson was delighted to see parking and agent donations going to worthy organizations. He and his staff want to express thanks to those who contribute when parking their vehicles at the plaza and look forward to donating their time again in the lot this weekend for the World Championship of Sand Sculpting
“I want to thank all the people who come here and let us park their cars,” said Anderson. “My agents give year round. So it’s nice we can help out.”