YPNDEN

YPNDEN YPN Year-End Wrap Up

Hello YPNers!

Wow - time flies and another year is in the books!

What a crazy and busy real estate year it has been. It was also a busy year for bringing back our YPN events and they were such a huge success with record attendance! We kicked off the year with our Pirate Water Taxi tour and networking event at Jackson’s, volunteered to clean up Florida waters, had an amazing Blue Party event attended by YPNers from across the state, and are wrapping the year up with our annual holiday ugly sweater party. Not only did we network, but we raised funds for charities in our community. As we look forward to next year, we will continue to partner with local organizations for volunteer events.

YPN has brought so many important relationships into my life. It has also created business opportunities that I would not have otherwise. There were so many new faces that attended our events this year. The connections you make and the experiences you can create are invaluable. If you are interested in getting involved more and networking with other like-minded REALTORS® across the state and country, check out the National Association of REALTORS® YPN Page on Facebook at @NARdotRealtor and YPN.realtor.

If you have ideas for next year’s events, please submit them to events@tamparealtors.org.

Best wishes for 2023. Signing off as your 2022 YPN Ambassador!

Ashley Christie (Flourish Real Estate) is a former GTR Board member and the 2022 YPN Ambassador.

THANK YOU TACKY SWEATER PARTY SPONSORS

Find us on Facebook & Instagram @TampaYPN

Many hands (and smiles) make light work

Members Doing Good in the Tampa Bay Area Community

by Habitat for Humanity®

Greater Tampa REALTORS® member, Sarah Hart, believes that a job well done starts with fun. She’s known for her ability to bring laughter and joy to the build site with a little friendly competition, like challenging a fellow volunteer to see who can lay sod the fastest. “You’re dirty, you’re hot, you’re throwing sod. So make fun, right?” says Sarah, a 42-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran who volunteers with Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County.

Nearly 20 years ago, Sarah began volunteering with Habitat® while still serving in the military. Her longstanding commitment to safe and affordable housing has inspired others to get involved, and she always brings along a crowd of enthusiastic volunteers whenever she shows up to a build. “I have a lot of pride in what I do,” she says. “And then it makes me feel really good to be able to give back to somebody for a very good cause and be able to see something come of it.”

Sarah has invited colleagues from her real estate company to volunteer, coordinated a youth build where her 17-yearold son participated and brought together her friends from the military to help build homes. “It was just really fun to be able to do a build with my military friends, even after I’m retired,” Sarah says. “I still keep in contact with all of my buds, and so it is fun being with them in a different setting, not with our uniforms on, but building a house together.”

A few years ago, Sarah started an online group for newcomers where she regularly shares volunteer opportunities. “I have, I think, right now 5,600 people who are on that,” says Sarah, who encourages members to sign up for Habitat® builds to get involved in their new community and meet new friends.

“Sarah is a vivacious volunteer who inspires all around her, and she shows her dedication to this affiliate not only by swinging a hammer and building houses, but also by taking on a key responsibility to spread the word of her passion to those from all walks of her life,” says Callie Lupica, Habitat Hillsborough County’s volunteer services director. “From posting on social media to actively planning and recruiting volunteers, she stands tall as a local leader with a huge smile on her face at all times.”

“Everyone deserves a decent place to live to create happy memories in a safe environment. It’s all about the memories to be honest,” says Sarah, who often pictures a family spending holidays and celebrating birthdays while she’s helping to build a home. One of her favorite memories of volunteering was working on a build for a fellow U.S.

Air Force veteran who was the sole caregiver for his brother living with a rare form of cancer. “That was very moving. Obviously, him being military and me being military, and just seeing that he was doing it all in the name of his brother. That was amazing to me,” she says. Source: www.habitat.org/stories/many-hands-and-smiles-make-light-work