Event Coverage

SAMCAR Donates $40,000 to HEART

Realtors continue core support for affordable housing trust fund

Thursday, November 9, 2006

The San Mateo County REALTORS® Foundation has donated $40,000 to the Housing Endowment And Regional Trust (HEART) of San Mateo County. HEART, a public/private partnership between the County of San Mateo, 17 cities and the private sector, raises funds to create more affordable housing in the county. The Foundation has been one of HEART’s strongest supporters, contributing over $85,000 in the past three years.

John Gieseker, president of the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) Board of Directors, presented the check to Christopher Mohr, HEART executive director, during the Combined Marketing Tour Meeting of SAMCAR Realtors and affiliates held recently at San Mateo’s Elks Lodge. The amount was raised during SAMCAR’s annual Charity Golf Tournament held at the Peninsula Golf & Country Club in July.

“We are proud to support HEART and appreciate your efforts in providing affordable housing for residents in San Mateo County,” said Gieseker.

Mohr said, “The Housing Endowment And Regional Trust is grateful to SAMCAR for its contributions, which over the past few years have totaled $85,000. HEART’s unique public/private structure is becoming a model for communities across California. The Realtors are an essential partner in our efforts to jumpstart construction of new homes in San Mateo County.”

Mohr told SAMCAR members that HEART has invested in three developments in San Mateo County, which will have 398 new homes and account for $84 million worth of development activity.

“HEART is grateful to SAMCAR for their continued support of HEART,” said John Conover, chairman of HEART’s fundraising committee, and president of Borel Private Bank and Trust Company. “As a business leader, I know that the high cost of housing is a burden on our local and regional economies. HEART’s goal is to increase choice in the local housing market here in San Mateo County. We are a champion of new construction, so that working families and our young people just entering the workforce will have more opportunities to live near where they work. SAMCAR is a vital partner in helping us provide housing for families of all income levels.”

The San Mateo County REALTORS® Foundation was formed by the San Mateo County Association of Realtors® to provide community service activities. Through the Foundation, SAMCAR helps needy individuals and non-profit organizations based in the cities that SAMCAR serves. Past recipients have included local schools and educational foundations, programs assisting the homeless and those in need with shelter and food, domestic violence prevention, home renovations for those in need and programs serving the youth of our communities.

SAMCAR President John Gieseker presents the check to HEART Executive Director Christopher Mohr. - Image 1 of 1

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The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 3,800 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula. SAMCAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in San Mateo County.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

For further information, please contact Julie Ziemelis, Director of Public Affairs, e-mail , or phone (650) 696-8214.

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