COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Safely Serving Others Despite A Challenging Year by Joey Henderson Before COVID-19, the members of the Greater Tampa REALTORS® (GTR) Community Outreach Committee, anxiously looked forward to advancing the Association’s mark of participating in the community and neighborhood events. The establishment of community outreach helped to further formalize the association’s effort to support the community. The committee was on its way by participating in its first event, the City of Tampa’s Community Resource Fair at Jefferson high school. With successful community exposure, a few minutes of radio airtime and engaging potential homebuyers, committee members unanimously voted to participate in the city’s quarterly event. Unfortunately, like so many events, COVID-19 canceled the three remaining quarterly resource fairs. One would think the pandemic would have ended charge for GTR‘s Community Outreach Committee. On the contrary, Community Outreach was able to pivot in the face of uncertainty to rise up to its motto of REALTORS® doing good in the community. With encouragement and support from 2020 President Darlene Davenport, Chairman John Daux and Vice Chair Kieanna Carty, the committee marched on to lead GTR in accomplishing some new outreach ventures. During the pandemic the Community Outreach Committee was the title sponsor for Hillsborough County's Habitat for Humanity’s first Real Estate Build where GTR members participated in a parade of cars celebrating the sweat equity accomplishment of the Barnes and other Habitat families. With the pandemic disrupting the good works of organizations like Metropolitan Ministries and Everyday Blessings, GTR lead the way to collect 2,000 pounds of food and supplies and collected over $7,000 in funds for both organizations. Joey Henderson is the Director of Public Affairs at Greater Tampa REALTORS®.
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TAMPA REALTOR® • November - December 2020
