CHANGE, COMMUNITY SPIRIT, AND A LATTE

CHANGE, COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND A

LATTE by Sandi Solomonson

One thing is certain about life; it will change, often without notice. Such was March 2020 for much of the world. A time when Realtor® Becky Arnold joined Chase International on a Tuesday and a statewide COVID lockdown followed that Friday. “It was an uncertain time when we lost our sense of control,” she said. “I felt overwhelmed and thought if I feel this way, who else in Lake Tahoe shares this feeling and what can I do to help them.”

With her 2 children and time on her hands, she sprang into action by assembling over 60 packets of student art supplies, donating them to a local elementary school. Next, she rolled up her sleeves to help local restaurants stay afloat. Weekly social media posts combined with a Bingo inspired game, residents were encouraged to participate in keeping local eateries open for business. The result was empowering for this north Lake Tahoe resort town; demonstrating a pro-active response to COVID, while keeping tummies happy.

Near and dear to Becky’s heart is the Humane Society. Shortly after the tragic loss of her husband in 2010, she

adopted a White Golden Retriever rescue dog from the local Humane Society. “Latte” had been abused and required multiple surgeries to regain health. In spite of being told the dog would be lucky to live 6 years, she brought her home. “The Humane Society does so much great work and pets help us heal. I saved Latte and she saved me,” said Becky. During the lockdown, Becky committed monthly funds to the society as a show of support, which continues still. In addition, she promoted the need for donating pet food on social media.

She continues, “COVID opened all our eyes to a lot of things that we knew were important in life but had back-burnered them. We all had time to reflect and think about where we were in life. It awakened something in me. There are so many ways, everyday, to show the gratitude you have in your life and share it with others. It’s not always about money; it’s about time, your heart, and seeing how you can contribute.”

A sense of gratitude is just one reason Becky joined Chase International. Being drawn to Chase’s philosophy of “Joy, Health, Success”, plus the company’s relentless pursuit as the Leader in Luxury Real Estate, she saw her move to Chase as a natural fit. “I wanted to be associated with a brand that encourages professional and personal development, balance, and is known for their integrity,” Becky stated. Being an independent company, Chase was able to quickly shift to meet new challenges during the lockdown. She added, “Chase really had my back during 2020, taking steps to help foster agents as people so we could be strong and give back to our clients. They really do live their motto; I respect that immensely.”

So, what’s in Becky’s future? Well, sometimes in order to look forward, you must look back. As Becky recalls, “Without the support of the entire Tahoe City community, I could not have made it through the first year following my husband’s death. I always knew Tahoe was a special place, but it really struck a chord with me how everyone in this community comes together. There’s cycles of life, sometimes you’re the recipient, sometimes you’re donating. We do what we can, when we can.” This doctrine spurs Becky and her family to continue volunteering organically as opportunities arise. Having remarried in 2019 (to a Chase International Realtor®), Becky and John look forward to giving back in ways that speak to their souls. Whether it be a 4-day clean up project on the Hawaiian island of Kaho’ olawe, or quietly providing for a local need, this inspiring lady is sharing gratitude and her heart in big ways.

Oh, and Latte the rescue dog, who was given a lifespan of 6 years, just turned a ripe old 13. That’s 91 for us humans.

THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS, EVERYDAY, TO SHOW THE GRATITUDE YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE AND SHARE IT WITH OTHERS.