RASM NEWS
RASM Recognizes Humanitarian in Quarter 3 Humanitarian of the Quarter for Q3: Michele Tanner, Realtor®
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ASM has established a quarterly Humanitarian Award, designed to recognize the Realtors® who are doing great things in our community. The RASM Community Outreach Committee has recognized Michele Tanner, Realtor®, Preferred Shore Real Estate and the Tanner Group, as the “Humanitarian of the Quarter” recipient for the Third Quarter of 2021. Michele is a second generation Realtor® for over 17 years, focusing on waterfront properties and homes in the Greater Sarasota area. Michele is also the Founder of the Annual, non-profit fundraiser, “Tanner’s Turkeys,” which is a basket brigade charity providing families in need with a traditional Thanksgiving meal, with a turkey and all the fixings to make the season hopeful and bright. Tanner’s Turkeys works with local nonprofits, to connect with families in need, proudly serving families all over Sarasota and Manatee counties. Michele was first inspired by Tony Robbin’s “Basket Brigade,” which feeds over a million families a year. Michele has always been motivated by a need to contribute to others, especially during a season where we reflect on all our blessings and being thankful. The Annual “Tanner’s Turkeys” charity is now in its eleventh year, and it’s truly Michele’s passion. She has spent countless hours dedicating her time and resources to making this event a huge success year after year. The charity started as a one-woman operation that helped to feed 50 families in its first year. Even during the uncertainty of 2020, Michele, along with her assistant, Skyler Duling, and her team of volunteers, was still able to provide 500 families with Thanksgiving meals. This was no easy task, considering her in-person events were canceled and all her fund raising efforts were dependent on phone calls and online contributions. Tanner’s Turkeys has fed 2,200 families year-to-date. “I am so grateful, surprised, and truly honored to receive this recognition,” said Michele. “I definitely did not expect it. I just feel a strong drive to reach out to the community and help where I can, so to be recognized for that is so humbling.”
CHARITIES NEED OUR HELP Given the challenges of the last year and a half, the strain on charities to provide for the influx of additional families in need is greater than ever before. In fact, charities have seen a 20% increase in the need for food for families who are experiencing food insecurity. Contributing to Tanner’s Turkeys is a great way to help ease that strain. “I am grateful to the local nonprofits who I’ve worked with over the years,” said Michele. “Big Brothers Big Sisters, in particular, have been instrumental from day one. I couldn’t do this without their help.” Other charities Michele works with include, Girls Inc. Mothers Helping Mothers, Jewish Family Services, Children First, Our Mother’s House, Just for Girls, Boys & Girls Club, Care.net, and some local daycares that have a need.
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FUNDRAISING EVENT The Tanner’s Turkeys charity relies on contributions, sponsors, and volunteers to be a success. Michele is hosting her annual fundraising event at The Meadows Country Club in Sarasota, scheduled for October 28, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tickets cost $49 and each ticket feeds one family in need. The event will feature live music, entertainment, appetizers, a silent auction, and a 50/50 drawing. Sponsorship and silent auction items are needed for this worthy cause.
VOLUNTEER NEEDS Additional opportunities to volunteer include help with promotions, picking up auction items, and volunteering at “packing day” and “delivery day.” On packing day, volunteers are needed to pick up the canned goods and pack them accordingly. On delivery day, drivers and delivery people are needed to take the donations to various charities for distribution. All recipients remain anonymous, so different charities have different requirements. “Both days are very family-friendly events,” said Michele. “We meet at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. It’s a great opportunity to be a good example to our kids, and they learn to have compassion for others. As a single mom, showing my daughter the importance of helping others is so important to me.” In addition to Tanner’s Turkeys, Michele is also passionate about Impact100 SRQ, which is a local nonprofit in its third year, composed of a group of women who each donate $1,000 annually. “Collectively, we fund grants of $100K minimum, to local nonprofits. This year, with 404 members, they will fund 4 local nonprofits with grants of $101K each,” said Michele. “I feel my greatest gift is helping others,” said Michele. “Whether it’s feeding families for Thanksgiving, making a meal for someone dealing with loss or illness, pouring into buyers and sellers with their real estate needs, or helping agents on my team grow their business, my calling is helping and serving others.” To learn more about Tanner’s Turkeys, visit the website at www.TannersTurkeys.com or their Facebook page. For donations and sponsorships, please email Michele at TannerSells@gmail.com. RASM sincerely thanks Michele Tanner, and all our members who volunteer, give back to our community, and make a difference in the lives of others. To nominate someone for the RASM Humanitarian Award, email outreach@myrasm.com. •
