Local realtors to lend a helping hand

Friday, January 4, 2019
The 2019 Public Relations and Advocacy Committee Joann Cash, Penne Moore, Jim Gourd, Diane Earll and Chair Vanessa Leisure launch “Local Realtors Making a Difference … One Home at a Time” program.

The Five County Board of Realtors is adding to its repertoire of community support with the creation of “Local Realtors Making a Difference … One Home at a Time.” The program offers the Public Relations and Advocacy Committee’s own brand of community betterment by assisting local homeowners who are unable, for whatever reason, to complete improvements to their property’s exterior.

As realtors, the group sees a lot of homes that are in need of basic repairs and updates. In an effort to be part of the solution, “Local Realtors Making a Difference … One Home at a Time,” was launched out of a shared determination to help get properties cleaned up. “It also comes from a desire to give back to our community,” Committee Chair Vanessa Leisure said. “We want to give back to our community and we feel like this is one way we can do that.”

“We can’t get into remodels and stuff like that, but if somebody needs a couple of boards replaced, some bushes trimmed, landscaping cleaned up, trim painted – we are open to whatever they ask on their application.” The deadline for applications for assistance is March 1. The completed application must be mailed to, or dropped by the office of, Curtis and Sons Realty at 121 S. Main. Applications are available at all local realty offices as well as Community Outreach.

“We have put together an application for homeowners: they must own the home, be current on taxes, inside city limits and they must be willing to allow us to contact them and come to view the home – exterior only.”

Once all applications are received, they will be reviewed. “After that, we will start assessing the requested projects and we will do as much as we can,” Leisure said. “It’s going to be all volunteer. It will be done by the realtors who want to participate.”

Committee member and Realtor Diane Earl added that, “As realtors, we see the need for some repairs/maintenance on homes throughout town, and we also realize that some homeowners just need a little help. We never know what a person is going through or their particular circumstances. It is very important to our group of realtors - pride in home ownership, positive reinforcement within our community and the simple act of kindness to another human being. It makes my heart happy and I am proud to be a part of this project.”

The group’s logo was created by committee member and Realtor Joann Cash. “I designed the logo in an effort to show us giving a helping hand and working together,” she said. “You know the saying ‘many hands lighten the load,’ that is what this is. I love our small town feeling and want it to always feel that way, but Nevada needs a face-lift to give it a happy face again.” It is Cash’s hope that the program will help “clean up our town, help brighten the attitudes of those that live here and make it more appealing to attract new businesses and homeowners.”

The group is hopeful that the program will be well received and that homeowners in need of assistance will take advantage of the opportunity to get things done. “We are hoping this is something that will grow,” said Leisure, “and that we will be able to continue with maybe even a spring and a fall schedule. It is all going to come from us – we have a lot of really good people and we are just going to all chip in and help however we can. It may grow and we may branch out, but right now, it’s just us.”

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