Left to Right: OBX RITI Executive Director Shari Fiveash, YPN Chair Kirsten Shackelford, and Kirsten’s daughter Harlow Keech delivering a van full of donations from REALTOR® members.
What is REALTORS® Give Back Week? REALTORS® Give Back Week is an annual event that celebrates the spirit of giving, volunteerism, and service among REALTORS® across the country. It is promoted by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and NC REALTORS® to encourage association members to participate in one or more activities that benefit their local communities. Held in June, the 2023 theme for REALTORS® Give Back Week was “REALTORS® Are Good Neighbors”.
The Outer Banks Association of REALTORS® (OBAR) Young Professionals Network (YPN), chaired by Kirsten Shackelford of Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty, decided to hold a supply drive for the OBX Room in the Inn (OBX RITI) during Give Back Week. Founded in 2009, OBX RITI is a non-profit 501c3 faith-based organization that provides hospitality, food, and shelter to displaced adults in the Outer Banks during the winter months and support services year-round. “The supply drive was a great success! Special thanks to Kim Endre, the YPN Committee, OBAR staff, and everyone who donated,” said Kirsten.
Donation drop-off locations included Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty in Kitty Hawk, Twiddy & Company in Duck, and the OBAR office. A few hundred items were collected, including blankets, toiletries, clothing, and food for the OBX RITI guests. They also received monetary donations from generous donors who wanted to contribute to the cause.
Left to Right: Kim Endre dropping off donations from Twiddy in Duck to the OBAR office and YPN Chair Kirsten Shackleford.
The supply drive was not the only way that OBAR members have demonstrated how much they give back. OBAR has scholarship and disaster relief funds held through the Outer Banks Community Foundation. Funds are available to any resident of the Outer Banks who needs financial assistance for recovery from natural disasters or graduating seniors needing funds for higher education. In addition, OBAR members have participated in various volunteer and charitable activities, such as Habitat for Humanity, beach cleanups, food drives, and more. According to the CARE Report, Community Aid and Real Estate, 66% of REALTORS® volunteer every month, and 79% made donations in 2021, compared to the national average of 56%, according to Lending Tree. These statistics show that REALTORS® truly are good neighbors who care about their communities and make them better places to live.
Want to join the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS® to make a difference in our community? Visit https://www.obxroomintheinn.org/about or https://www.outerbanksrealtors.com/obar-scholarship-disaster-relief-funds/ to find out how you can contribute. Together we can make a positive impact on our community and help those in need.