Meet Five REALTORS® With Heart

HEART AWARD

BOB BELL TIFFANY CANADY BRENDA CASE SEAN DOUGHERTY

2021 MEET THE FIVE REALTORS® WITH HEART

MATT ROBBINS

This year, the Colorado Association of REALTORS® Foundation established the Colorado’s Heart Award to recognize those REALTORS® serving their communities with distinction. In March, CAR began accepting nominations and nearly four dozen were received.

The CAR Foundation is thrilled to announce that Matt

Robbins is the 2021 winner of the Colorado’s Heart

Award. He will receive a $3,000 donation to the charity of his choice.

District finalists include: •Bob Bell – Metro District • Tiffany Canady – Southeast District •Brenda Case – Western District •Sean Dougherty – Northeast District

Each District Finalist will receive a $750 donation to the charity of their choice. Award winners will have applications submitted on their behalf to NAR's Good Neighbor Award.

MATT ROBBINS Colorado’s Heart Award Winner 1971 GHS Football Memorial Foundation Bringing a Small Town Back Together After Tragedy

REALTOR® Matt Robbins leads a memorial foundation that honors one town’s tragic loss by creating opportunity for the future.

High school football season, especially in a small town like Gunnison, Colo., brings to mind Friday night varsity games under the lights, greetings from friends and neighbors in the stands, the roar of the crowd when the home team scores. Sunny and crisp Saturday morning junior varsity games, Colorado bluebird sky overhead, and fans and family spread out in the grass alongside the field. And the busses lined up outside to carry the visiting team home.

One fall weekend during the 1971 football season changed the town of Gunnison forever. On Sept. 11, 1971, a school bus carrying the Gunnison High School junior varsity football team crashed on the east side of Monarch Pass. Many passengers were ejected as the bus rolled several times. Eight teenage players and one coach never came home, and many

The town was shocked and devastated. In a small town, everyone knows everyone. These kids were everyone’s kids.

“It deeply affected everyone in our small town and everyone had to handle their grief as best they could, without much in the way of counseling or professional help,” remembers REALTOR® Matt Robbins, GHS class of ‘73, who operates his company Monarch Realty here.

“People were struggling,” said Roxie Rule, who also graduated from GHS in 1973. “Other players on the bus had survivor’s guilt.” Robbins would have been on that bus, said Rule, “but he was called up to play with the varsity team that weekend.”

“As tragic as this accident was, it did bring our community and school closer,” said Robbins. “Many community members worked tirelessly to help the families, to improve bus safety standards, and to rehabilitate those survivors that were injured.”

But the real “a-ha moment” came 20 years later, said Robbins. “I noticed every class get together or reunion always ended with discussions of the bus accident. An idea hit me that perhaps we could form a nonprofit entity to try and do something positive to help our community and at the same time honor the memory of those we lost.”

Robbins formed the 1971 GHS Football Memorial Foundation in 1996, 25 years after the accident, with its mission to retire the football jerseys and a coaching jacket of the players and coach who were lost. The jerseys and jacket now hang in Gunnison High School, a forever reminder to all how precious life is.

Beyond creating a permanent memorial at GHS, the Foundation endeavored to raise funds to award a university, college, or vocational school scholarship each year to one female and one male graduate of Gunnison High School in memory of those who died. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than 50 scholarships totaling nearly $200,000 to students 1971 JERSEY RETIREMENT CEREMONY who exhibit the ability to overcome adversity in their lives.

The Foundation also pledged to advocate for school bus safety, awarding the “Paul Medina Safe Bus Driver of the Year” award each year. Paul Medina, the District Director of Transportation at the time, was instrumental in changing bus safety regulations following the crash, regulations that are now standard across the country and dubbed, “The Gunnison Package.” The Foundation continues to monitor bus safety by sponsoring events that educate children and drivers about the ongoing importance of safe school bus transportation.

Robbins has served on the Board for the past 25 years. Two GHS football players who survived the bus crash are also deeply committed to the Foundation’s Board, as well as a number of other community members.

“Creating this Foundation brought the community back together,” said Rule, who also serves on the Board. “Once the idea of the Foundation was formed, I learned once again that there is nothing like the value of teamwork,” Robbins agreed. “I am so very thankful for the Foundation Board members who have given their time to help make a difference.”

His Board is gearing up for a busy year. A memorial event for the 50th anniversary of the crash is in the works for September 2021, and the Foundation wants to increase fundraising to provide larger scholarships in support of fast-rising college tuition costs. Bus safety will also continue to be a priority for the Foundation.

Giving back to the community has long been an important part of Robbins’ life. His parents set strong examples of community service.

“They were always helping someone through a rough patch,” Robbins recalled. “Once I became a REALTOR®, their example helped me to become more involved with a variety of community projects and hundreds of fundraising auctions.”

In more than 30 years of auctioneering, Robbins has conducted more than 500 auctions and raised over $40 million for other nonprofits, including President Jimmy Carter’s Carter Center and scores of others.

“Helping people was one of the main reasons I became a REALTOR® and it is still the most satisfying part of my job,” said Robbins. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have a wife and family, a Foundation Board and an auction crew that all felt the same way.”

Contact Robbins at matt@monarchrlty.com and learn more about the 1971 GHS Football Memorial Foundation here.

BOB BELL Metro District Finalist Food For Thought Denver Nourishing Young Minds

Denver REALTOR® Bob Bell brought a community together to fight weekend hunger

All schools have one thing in common: noise. On elementary school campuses, young, high-pitched voices giggle and shriek and yell. In middle and high schools, the murmur of conversation rises and falls, sometimes excited, sometimes indignant. Lockers slam, bells ring. But on Friday afternoons when the voices recede and the hallways empty, thousands of children in Denver go home to silent pangs of hunger.

REALTOR® Bob Bell is a north Denver native and still runs his business, Mile Hi Property, there. When he learned that many children in Denver often have nothing to eat all weekend after leaving school on Friday, he decided to act.

“Just being educated about the compelling problem of childhood hunger in my backyard was all the inspiration it took,” he said.

Bell founded Food For Thought in 2012 determined to help the students at two schools. In both schools, more than 90 percent of their students qualified for free and reduced-price lunch, a federal program that provides students whose families fall below certain income thresholds with free breakfast and lunch at school.

Staffed 100 percent by volunteers, Food For Thought delivered more than 32,000 meals that first year, in “Power Sacks” that help feed a family of four over the weekend. The program has grown exponentially every year since.

“Time is a premium in life and there are more Denver kids who need food,” said Bell, but “leading a ‘family’ of doers who will not take no for answer” has enabled the program – still 100% volunteer; the Board members cover administrative costs – to grow to serve students at 72 schools throughout Denver, Aurora, Adams County, and Westminster.

With the help of hundreds of volunteers packing food weekly at several packing sites across town, delivery drivers in donated trucks bringing the meals to schools, and school staff distributing the Power Sacks, Food For Thought provided more than 1,500,000 meals to nearly 11,000 students in 2018-2019.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Food For Thought never missed a beat, pivoting to provide meals for “grab and go” distribution sites at Denver schools.

“Nothing gets in Bob’s way from achieving success,” said Craig Myles, REALTOR® and Food For Thought volunteer. “Rain, shine, pandemic, whatever, he is going to get that food delivered every Friday. We’ve never missed a Friday.”

All because of the hard work of Food For Thought volunteers, said Bell. “I have learned that people are good. When presented with a problem and given a way to solve that problem, the love and passion of people has no bounds.” He added, “My profession as a REALTOR® constantly exposes me to people at their most vulnerable moments and has groomed me to see a bigger picture in my local world.”

Thanks to Bell and his family of Food For Thought volunteers, the picture looks a lot better for thousands of children.

Contact Bell at milehiproperty@gmail.com and learn more about Food For Thought here.

2020 FOOD PACKING BEGINS

TIFFANY CANADY Southeast District Finalist HBA Cares Building Futures

By connecting those in need to construction industry partners ready to help, REALTOR® Tiffany Canady rebuilds lives. is always another project for another deserving family or nonprofit partner. In recent years, projects have included building a lift for a paralyzed 10-year-old boy to enable access to the family’s split-level home, constructing a new playground with equipment specially designed for children with disabilities, and building a guest house associated with a local hospital to provide supportive housing for families with loved ones in critical treatment.

Renovation. Remodeling. The terms conjure images of grand kitchens “Tiffany has been instrumental in getting projects done, like with acre-wide islands, or spa-like our recent project with construction partner GE Johnson master bathrooms. But for some TIFFANY CANADY to build parklets to expand outdoor seating for restaurants families, renovations are necessary just to struggling under COVID restrictions,” said Lisa Weidenbach, access their homes safely, or to keep their businesses open. staff liaison from the Home and Building Association. REALTOR® Tiffany Canady spends hundreds of hours a year That project saw more than 40 volunteers dedicate an entire helping to make those renovations happen for families who day to helping downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado resneed them as a volunteer with HBA Cares, the philanthropic taurants by expanding their sidewalks and seating spaces. arm of the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs. HBA Cares connects construction industry partners “Through amazing volunteers we were able to build outdoor with nonprofits and assists in managing projects to support seating for our downtown restaurants to stay open and transitional and accessible housing for community members. provide protective gear and meals to our essential workers,” Canady recalled. “It's clear no one succeeds alone, and it was Canady operates her business, The HomeBound Team with evident our community was not just going to survive, but Keller Williams Partners, in Colorado Springs and has been thrive together and rise up.” working with HBA Cares for six years. In that time she led fundraising efforts, planned events, recruited volunteers and The most rewarding part for Canady has been the people. rolled up her sleeves to help at construction project sites. “The opportunity to build strong relationships. We don't She currently serves as Board President. operate in a transactional business, we operate in the business of relationships. To forge relationships with community “It's an honor to serve alongside our Board members and members, builders, trades, and no profits that are like-mindforge relationships and partnerships in our community to ed and strive to leave a legacy of love,” she said. aid in transitional and accessible housing,” she said. “I focus on the good, and Colorado continually reminds me there are “She genuinely cares about her community and lives and plenty of great people out there on a mission to leave the breathes a lifestyle of giving,” said REALTOR® Zach Thompson, world better than they found it. My role is to help make the a colleague with The HomeBound Team. connections and share the story.” “As a REALTOR® I am fortunate to serve families in one of [the] Connections are at the heart of HBA Cares’ mission, and there biggest investments of their life, a place they call home, the opportunity to live the American Dream. My work over the last six years with HBA Cares has allowed me to help families and individuals of all walks of life work on building that dream through partnerships that extend programs to aid in transitional and accessible housing,” Canady said. “Giving, and surrounding myself with leaders that dig in the trenches has helped me grow in so many ways, and I am grateful to have such a tremendous state and community to engage with.” Connect with Canady at tiffany@buysprings.com and learn more about HBA Cares here.

VALENTINES DELIVERIES AT THE WILLOWS

BRENDA CASE Western District Finalist Mutual Aid Partners Neighbors Helping Neighbors

REALTOR® Brenda Case organized grassroots community efforts to ensure everyone had what they needed during the pandemic.

Grand Junction, Colo. sprawls across the Grand Valley, on one side a thriving city, on the other lush farmland and the heart of the state’s wine country. Rimmed by staggering red mesas, bathed in the watercolor sunsets of the quintessential American West, it is also a close-knit community, and at no time has this been more evident than during the COVID-19 pandemic. While across the country the pandemic isolated neighbors, in Grand Junction it brought them closer.

“The shutdown hit us here in Grand Junction a little later than the rest of the state, but when it hit people really needed help,” said Janna Burton, CEO of the Grand Junction Area REALTOR® Association.

A mutual aid Facebook group was formed by community members, where neighbors cold share food, supplies, and support to others in the group. The movement quickly grew and soon the group had thousands of members. REALTOR® Brenda Case volunteered to organize them, working with Mutual Aid Partners, a nonprofit founded to provide structure to the efforts and enable fundraising.

“Brenda got the community organized to help,” said Stephania Vasconez, Executive Director of Mutual Aid Partners. “It’s incredible how much of our community she has touched.”

Burton agreed. “Brenda saw the need and has worked so hard to give her time. [She is] a vital link in this relatively new chain in our community.” Case, who has spent much of her life on the Western Slope and operates her business, Back to Basics Realty, here, jumped in, assuming project leadership roles and coordinating efforts. She picked up and dropped off donations and recruited others to do the same for the group’s Distribution Day, held every week at a local church. Community members walk through to donate or pick up food and supplies. The distribution event has helped about 10,000 families in a year, donating more than 150,000 pounds of food. Case also oversaw a mask making and distribution project, enlisting and organizing volunteers to produce and deliver more than 50,000 masks during the year.

“Seeing the panic and fear in our community when the realization of the pandemic [hit] along with the lack of supplies and services was the biggest driving factor” to getting involved, Case said. “My mother was very active in the community and she is my inspiration in so many things I do. I think I’ve always been a bit involved, but as an introvert I rarely call attention to myself.”

That changed as the Mutual Aid movement grew. “I have learned to speak up and reach out for whatever needs our community might have. I’ve learned the importance of community in a way I’m not sure I truly appreciated before,” Case added.

Perhaps the most meaningful Mutual Aid Partners project for Case has been senior engagement. When caring for her late mother before her death six years ago, Case learned just how lonely rehab and senior facilities can be. With her mother as her inspiration, Case recruited community members to deliver gifts for more than 2,200 seniors and facility care staff at the holidays. They also delivered gifts for Valentine’s Day and Easter, and enlisted elementary schoolchildren to make and send uplifting cards. Under Case’s leadership, this program will continue with strong participation. “She led our Team Leaders and now procedures are in place for ongoing flow of these events,” Burton explained.

“The most rewarding part was probably watching our community come together while it seemed like the world was falling apart,” Case said. “It was a beautiful thing.”

Contact Case at brenda@backtobasicsrealtygj.com and learn more about Mutual Aid Partners here.

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SEAN DOUGHERTY Northeast District Finalist Realities For Children Improving Reality For Children In Need

REALTOR® Sean Dougherty gives his time, talent and treasure to provide at-risk children a second chance at a bright future.

Because no child should be forgotten. It’s the maxim that inspires the work of Realities For Children, a Northern Colorado organization that provides support for the emergent and ongoing needs of children who have been abused, neglected, abandoned, or are at-risk. The organization provides emergency funding, organizes distribution of critical items, hosts youth activities and cultivates community awareness in addition to working to break the cycle of abuse through special direct grant programs and scholarships for the youth they serve. Realities For Children’s volunteers and supporters are passionate about the mission and committed to making a difference for these children.

For 14 years, REALTOR® Sean Dougherty has been one of them. “The challenges that I hear from these kids – I just want all children to be happy, it’s what they’re supposed to be. Yet when I see and hear some of these kiddos’ stories, it hurts my heart,” he said.

He initially got involved by partnering with a friend to raise money for the Realities For Children Triumph Awards, which gives scholarships and post emancipation mentoring to at-risk and abused youth who want to go on to college or advanced education after high school. Dougherty and his friend created a poker tournament that ran for five seasons and raised about $75,000 for the program.

Dougherty didn’t stop there. He operates his business, The Aloha Team with Re/Max Alliance, in Fort Collins, so he became a sustaining Business Member, helping to underwrite the administrative costs of the organization and ensuring that 100% of donations directly fund services for kids. Dougherty also participated in and sponsored the organization’s annual Realities Ride and Rally, which has grown into a world record setting event and a major benefit for at-risk children. He has held leadership positions on committees and currently serves as a Realities for Children Ambassador as well.

“Sean is truly a champion for children in need,” said Craig Secher, Executive Director of Realities For Children. “He has been personally dedicated to bettering the lives of the children we serve for the past 14 years. Annually he is actively involved in our Back To School item collections, Santa’s Workshop Toy collections, and Bikes for Tykes all while sporting his signature Hawaiian shirt.”

The most rewarding part for Dougherty?

“Seeing these kids after they’ve become successful young adults. I had one young woman come up to me at a hockey game and gave me a hug, saying ‘thank you for believing in me.’ She’s in school and looking forward to getting out in the world and making her way,” he said. “It’s so cool to see them as adults now and knowing that RFC was able to help them overcome so much in life!”

Dougherty’s dedication to Realities For Children has been integral in spreading the word about the organization’s work. And as a REALTOR® it has given him an opportunity to cultivate relationships within the community.

“I have always found that the more I know about my community, the more I’m able to help my clients as well as other agents in my community. Plus, it helps my head and my heart knowing that I’m able to give something back to the community that has given so much to me.”

Realities For Children and the youth it serves are certainly better for having Dougherty as a champion.

“At every opportunity Sean is available to participate, contribute, lend a hand and offer direction on how to reach further into the darkness of child abuse in our community, said Secher. “His efforts and investment in service beyond self make our community a better place.”

Dougherty perhaps said it best: “When asked, I am there.”

Contact Dougherty at sean@hawaiianshirtguy.com and learn more about Realities For Children here.

BIKES FOR TYKES