February 2009
This month’s auction item

It’s a post-Ball FIRE Sale! Check out all four items available in this month’s auction at www.foundationitem.com.

Foundation gallery

Click on the image below to view pictures from the 2009 Donor Wall Reception.
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Spotlight
One of Those Days...
by Guest Columnist Vicki Kenworthy Wright, Carpenter, REALTORS®

It was a cold winter day in December when I arranged to meet my buyers for a showing. They didn’t have a car and the bus was running late that day, so they were late. I could tell it was going to be ‘one of those days.’

That afternoon, though, my real estate career and my role as a Foundation Board member merged as the husband relayed to me their story. They had met at Holy Family Shelter, a Foundation grant recipient for the past four years. If, he said, they hadn’t each made the choice to find shelter at that time, they would both be dead. They had lived hard lives on the street and dealt with drug addiction. They not only found refuge at Holy Family, they found each other – and the strength to move on to a better life.

Here they were, five years later, exemplifying why the Foundation is doing what it is to combat homelessness. They had both held steady jobs since their time at Holy Family and they had saved enough to buy their first home. While maybe only physically a few miles from the streets they used to occupy, they were worlds ahead of their previous lives. 

My buyers are still looking for a home, but our target move date is April 30. I look forward to helping them achieve their dream!
The Ball 2009
For the third year, the Ball became the focal point for MIBOR leadership and Foundation fundraising efforts. On January 24, 2009, new MIBOR president Larry Mitchell invited all MIBOR members to “light a candle rather than curse the darkness.” His message of hope reached 370 in attendance who also celebrated this year’s award winners: 2008 REALTOR® of the Year (and 2008 Foundation president) Roger Lundy; 2008 Affiliate of the Year (and Foundation Ambassador) Cheryl Davis; Distinguished Service Award winner Robbie Williams (six-year member of the Foundation Board); and the F.C. “Bud” Tucker Community Service Award winner Larry Vaughn (Foundation supporter).

Auctioneer Dave Caveness encouraged all attendees to bid on live auction items, and when coupled with the 140 silent auction items, helped raise just over $22,000 for the Foundation’s efforts to solve homelessness.

The event was supported by an outstanding number of sponsors and volunteers. The Ball Committee consisted of Pam Aguirre, Sue Applegate, Linda Bickell, EJ Brown, Diane Bussell, Jan Campbell, Melinda Heaston, Regina Jones, Roger Lundy, Mary McKeown, Jeff Risley, Johnnie Thomas, Pat Williams, Robbie Williams, Jamey York and Committee Chair Nancy Patterson.

Thank you to all attendees, sponsors and donors! Click here to view a list of sponsors.
Upcoming Events
Foundation Ambassadors. Would you like to become a Foundation Ambassador? Join our team by attending a training session on February 25 or March 4. RSVP to Molly Hahn at 317/956-5255 for more information!

Putting for Partners. Need to get your putting practice in early this year? Check out this fundraiser for Partners in Housing, a Foundation grant recipient, on February 27 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. To register, visit pihdc.org.

Homeless Connect – March 20 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. To volunteer, visit www.chipindy.org.

Save the Date! The 3rd Annual Foundation Awareness Week is coming June 8-14! Get ready to volunteer, party and walk for the homeless! More details to follow in the April Steps to Shelter. To get involved, contact Molly Hahn at 317/956-5255.

Save the Date for the REALTOR® Foundation Golf Outing July 23, 2009. Join us at Eagle Creek Golf Club for a day of food, fun and golf! Details on sponsorship and registration to come.
Partners
Countrywide Bank Makes 2009 Commitment. Despite, or possibly because of, the housing and mortgage crisis, Countrywide Bank has made a significant commitment to the Foundation’s efforts in 2009.

With a total commitment of $4,000, Countrywide became a Ball sponsor at the Gold ($1,500) level, a 2009 golf outing beverage station ($1,200) sponsor, and directed the remaining gift toward the Annual Fund. While many companies contribute to each of these efforts, Countrywide is leading the way in making one large year-long commitment to all major Foundation initiatives. As a result, Countrywide will receive recognition at both major events and will be recognized at the $2,500 - $5,000 Annual Fund level.

Of this commitment, Home Loan Manager Mack Howell commented, “Countrywide wanted to continue to partner with a professional organization, like MIBOR. As part of the mortgage industry, we have many partners as well as friends associated with MIBOR. Continuing to help more families realize the dream of homeownership in central Indiana is a great reason to make our commitment to MIBOR and the REALTOR® Foundation. It’s great to be a small part of the Foundation itself as we all continue to try to solve the problem of homelessness in central Indiana. We’re looking forward to another exciting year with our sponsorship in 2009.”

Thanks to Countrywide for this significant gift!