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Home : Publications : Event Coverage

FAREPA Raises $31,000 for Homeless Abroad



Saturday, August 11, 2007

Pictured left to right are FAREPA Presidents Judy Lamar (Santa Clara County Chapter), Dexter Lat (Alameda County Chapter), Mae Perez (SF/Peninsula Chapter), are pictured with SAMCAR member Chuck Colliver, SAMCAR President Geoffrey Craighead, SAMCAR Directors Olivia Tam Edwards and Sue Vaterlaus.

 

In an effort to reach out to their homeland and build a community for the impoverished and homeless in the Philippines, members of three chapters of the Filipino American Real Estate Professionals Association (FAREPA) rallied the support of their peers in the real estate industry and were able to raise $31,000 in donations and pledges at a recent benefit held in Burlingame.

The benefit, which sought to raise money to build homes for the poor in the Philippines, was hosted by FAREPA San Francisco/Peninsula, Santa Clara County and Alameda County at the Embassy Suites and attended by over 200 representatives of the real estate industry. Funds raised will go to Answering the Cry of the Poor (ANCOP) Foundation, USA, Inc., an international network that supports the Gawad Kalinga  (“to give care”) project. Gawad Kalinga seeks to transform poverty stricken areas by building 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities, in seven years (2003-2010). 

Gawad Kalinga (GK) provides a faith-based holistic approach to poverty alleviation, dealing with all community aspects that include values formation, community organization and involvement, education, basic health care and livelihood programs. Beneficiaries of homes undergo a 13-week values formation course, provide sweat-equity by building their own homes and the homes of their neighbors and abide by the rules of the "Kapitbahayan" (Community Association), which include maintaining  cleanliness, peace and order, and upkeep of their village.

“We would like to thank our generous sponsors and donors who supported our event,” said FAREPA - SF/Peninsula President Mae Perez. “Through their contributions, we were able to meet two-thirds of our goal during the benefit.”

Perez is a SAMCAR member and a Realtor and partner with GreenHeights Investment Group in San Bruno. She said it takes approximately $1,500 to build one house in the Philippines. Donations, pledges and silent and live auction bids enabled FAREPA members to reach two-thirds of their $56,000 goal to build 30 homes, along with essential services needed by a community, such as a community center and health center.

“SAMCAR and the FAREPA – SF/Peninsula Chapter form a strong team and share close ties with each other,” said SAMCAR President Geoffrey Craighead. “We are pleased to support FAREPA in Gawad Kalinga. It’s amazing how $1,500 can build a house for a family in the Philippines.”

SAMCAR Directors Olivia Tam Edwards and Sue Vaterlaus attended the FAREPA - GK benefit with Craighead. SAMCAR donated $1,000 and was a Platinum Sponsor of the event.

Other Platinum Sponsors included Financial Title, Stewart Title, First American Title and Nazareth Plaza Dental Group in San Mateo.

“What makes Gawad Kalinga special is the project’s inherent goal to tackle the roots of poverty – the absence of shared values, a sense of community and higher purpose,” said Theresa Dwyer, a major organizer of the FAREPA - GK benefit. Dwyer is also a SAMCAR member and a Realtor with Landmark Properties.
“Volunteers use their talents and experience to work together and build a community. Architects and engineers design houses, doctors and nurses tend to community health care, teachers share their knowledge and business leaders become mentors for economic enterprises,” Dwyer added.

At the benefit, after Gawad Kalinga International Director Dylan Wilk spoke and showed slides of homes being built and villages created in the Philippines, the following 23 individuals/companies stepped up to the plate and pledged $1,000 or more to the project: Wilma Baltar, Judy Lamar, Edelith Obas, Amy Cardoway, Marilyn Becklehimer, Neria Canonizado, Theresa Dwyer, Tess Crescini, Olivia Cunningham, Green Heights Investment, Michael Macapagal, Robert Concepcion, Thez Santos, Corrie Budnik, Norita Rich, Hank Rosendin, Manny Antipuesto, Mario Vista, Joe Salcedo, Ric Bareng, Jr., Dexter Lat, Merle Laurel and Fely Santiago.

The Filipino American Realtors and affiliates plan to conduct small fundraisers throughout the year to raise the remaining funds needed to complete their goal. To donate to GK, contact Dwyer at (408) 221- 5380.

 

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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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