GTAR back pack collection is a huge success

Backpacks for Foster Kids – Better known as the “B” bags (Being, Believing and Belonging) were distributed to thousands of children in our community.

As members of the Greater Tampa Association of REALTORS®, you made a huge difference in the lives of children in foster care this past year.  You collected thousands of Backpacks for Kids for the abused children in our community.  These backpacks were distributed to the over 3,000 children in the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program through their volunteers who work directly with the children in foster care.  Backpacks were also distributed to the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Department Child Protective and Investigations Division. “It is amazing to see what can happen when people decide to join forces and tackle one special need”, says Lisa Semeyn, executive director of Voice for Children. “We were overwhelmed when we heard the number of children who needed back packs.  Thanks to GTAR, we were able to fill all the requests.”

Of course, the power of everyone coming together to complete such an important project is too good to resist, and so, Voices for Children (VFC) and the Guardian ad Litem program have come to us with another special request.  This time, it’s during a very important time of year in a child’s life…The Holidays!  VFC/GAL would like to invite us to participate in their annual Toy Drive.  They are asking that we help by providing gift cards to be used for toys, clothes and other needs for the children this holiday season. These gift cards will be disbursed to the older children in the system whose one true gift this season would be the gift to shop on their own, maybe for themselves, a friend or family member.  It will also be used to help with purchasing wrapping paper; or additional toys (if needed) for the younger children.

As always VFC and GAL are extremely grateful to GTAR for their support and dedication to the program.  For additional information on the Holiday Gift Card Drive please contact Betsy Smith at (813) 902-9300 or visit our website at www.vfcgal.org.

MacDill-GTAR Program Helps Military Find Housing

For military families, moving from city to city – or even from country to country - is a way of life.  Seemingly every couple of years, it’s off to a new town, new friends and co-workers, and a new search for a place to live.

For military families arriving at MacDill Air Force Base, the transition to their new town is made easier thanks to the Ambassador Program, an arrangement between the Greater Tampa Association of REALTORS® (GTAR) and the Base Housing Office at MacDill.

Now in its fourth year, the Ambassador Program trains volunteer REALTORS® to provide assistance to military personnel arriving at MacDill who wish to live off-base.  The REALTORS® understand that they are at the base to provide information and local community knowledge and cannot promote themselves or their companies.  They must go through an orientation program and training, and submit to a background check in order to receive an ID to get on base. 

“It’s a very successful program,” says Linda Rousseau, MacDill’s Off Base Housing Assistant.  “Probably 200 people have utilized it so far.”

Colonel Irvin B. Lee, formerly in charge of the 6th Mission Support Group at MacDill, initiated the program here after seeing a similar program prove extremely valuable to military families in Colorado Springs, Co.

“We were pleased to be selected as the REALTOR® Association to partner with MacDill,” said Carol Austin, Chief Executive Officer of GTAR.  “This program offers a great opportunity for our members to give back to the community.”

The program is a natural for both MacDill and GTAR.  Many MacDill retirees stayed in the Bay area and pursued a second career in real estate.

“We have many members who are either retired military or who have a loved one involved in the military,” noted GTAR President Carlos Fuentes.  “Having members who have been there, done that or just being familiar with the process offers a winning combination to the military personnel needing assistance.”   

Each Tuesday and Thursday from nine to noon, a volunteer REALTOR® mans a cubicle in the base housing office armed with area maps, MLS printouts and other information.  They answer questions from incoming military families regarding the distance of a particular neighborhood from the base, or general questions about the home buying process, or financing issues.  If a question falls out of the range of the REALTOR®’s expertise, a brochure containing REALTOR® affiliate companies is provided.  The REALTOR® also provides information on the local rental market, from condos, to apartments, to houses.

“The program has helped tremendously,” Rousseau says.  “So many young people come in who have no idea about buying a house.  The REALTORS® really spend a lot of time with them.  The information they provide is very valuable.”

The program has assisted high ranking military personnel and those lower on the command chain.  “It a cross-mix of clientele,” says Vernon Taylor, broker/owner of VET Realty in Lutz and a REALTOR® volunteer in the program.  “I’ve worked with a lieutenant colonel to a private who needed information.” 

After determining whether the family wishes to rent a house, rent an apartment or buy a house, the REALTOR® generically answers questions regarding their particular housing situation.   “Most are looking to purchase,” says Taylor, “but their need is immediate.  They need to do something now.”

But Taylor is quick to point out that this is not a source of business for the REALTOR® volunteers.  When asked how many deals he has closed through the Ambassador Program, Taylor says none.  “This is a volunteer service to MacDill personnel provided by GTAR to assist with individual housing needs.  We are providing professional services.”

The MacDill families, whose transition to the Tampa Bay area is made easier because of the Ambassador Program, would certainly agree. 

GTAR is the largest professional association in the Tampa Bay area.