GIVING BACK
National Association of Realtors partners with Food Recovery Network
In an effort to help combat hunger, the National Association of Realtors will begin donating surplus food from its events and meetings to those in need. Working in partnership with the Food Recovery Network, a college student-led hunger nonprofit organization. NAR recently asked all of its 1,200 local and state Realtor associations around the country to join in, “take the pledge” and work to help multiply the effort.
“Giving back to the community is the right thing to do, and I am proud that NAR members have a long history of helping their neighbors,” NAR CEO Bob Goldberg said. “We hope this effort will inspire other associations, organizations, businesses and individuals to fight hunger in their local communities.”
The NAR commitment will add to an effort by FRN and its affiliates, which has recovered 3.9 million pounds of food, donated 3.2 million meals and prevented 7.4 million pounds of CO2 emissions since 2011.
LBA Ware supports Georgia-area food banks
Mortgage tech provider LBA Ware raised 8,582 meals to benefit the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank through its participation in Bytes for Bites, an annual food and fund drive competition among Georgia’s technology and startup community benefitting Georgia’s regional food banks.
LBA Ware was recognized for making the largest contribution in the Middle Georgia region, receiving formal recognition for Most Total Points and Most Points Per Employee, where one point is earned for every pound of food donated or 25 cents raised.
Freedom Mortgage partners with Habitat for Humanity to Support Veterans Build program
Freedom Mortgage has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to support the nonprofit housing organization’s Veterans Build program, which builds, rehabilitates and repairs homes in partnership with U.S. military veterans in need of affordable housing.
Freedom Mortgage will support Habitat’s Veterans Build projects in three communities in which the lender operates: Palmyra, New Jersey; Jacksonville, Florida; and Indianapolis.
Freedom Mortgage’s Habitat partnership also supports the company’s recently launched Volunteer Time Off program. The program provides Freedom Mortgage employees paid time working out of the office for approved nonprofit organizations to make a positive impact in the communities where they live and work. The partnership with Habitat will provide thousands of volunteer hours for Freedom Mortgage employees.
“Habitat for Humanity does so much for families in need of decent, affordable housing,” Freedom Mortgage CEO Stanley Middleman said. “I’m very excited to be working with such an extraordinary organization to help our U.S. military veterans and their families improve their homes and living conditions. This is a great partnership that will continue making the dream of homeownership accessible for so many.”
NTC expands philanthropic efforts nationwide in 2019
Nationwide Title Clearing has committed to several local and national nonprofit organizations throughout 2019. For several years, NTC has been heavily involved with nonprofit organizations in the Tampa Bay area, such as the Humane Society of Pinellas, Feeding Tampa Bay and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
NTC said community involvement and support for worthy causes is core to its culture, as the company supports employees in their charitable efforts and participates in several events throughout the year.
“When people ask us why we do it, the answer is simple. It is because we care and NTC, as any established business, has a responsibility to ensure that non-profit organizations are supported and their cause disseminated,” said Danny Byrnes, vice president of Sales and Marketing.
Charitable Foundation has many programs that support veterans who have sacrificed so much to ensure the safety of our nation.
In August, NTC team members will volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House and prepare meals for patients. This will be the companies seventh year volunteering for this organization. NTC is sponsoring the Boys and Girls Club gala in September and will sponsor the Gramatica Kickball Foundation’s annual Kickball tournament in October.
“For as long as I have worked at NTC, it has been a pleasure being as involved in our community as we have been. Each year we explore different charities and avenues of philanthropy, and I am grateful to be part of such an amazing company that is focused on giving back to our community,” NTC Marketing Director Santa Sorrentino said.
LAUNCHES
National Association of Mortgage Brokers launches new health plan for members
The National Association of Mortgage Brokers partnered with health care solutions provider Pendella to offer a newly developed health plan to its membership base.
The NAMB health plan will provide level funded options down to groups of two employees and will help control the cost of care through many features typically only available to large employers, the association said.
“Since learning of the Association Health Plan initiative released by the White House in 2018, NAMB has been working hard to bring this valuable benefit to its members” said NAMB President Rick Bettencourt. “This plan allows small businesses, individuals and sole proprietors the opportunity to come together and share the benefits that only large groups receive today.”
Guaranteed Rate creates internal LGBTQ+ organization
Guaranteed Rate has established PROUD, a new internal organization aimed at promoting LGBTQ+ acceptance in the workplace. The mission of PROUD is to maintain a work environment in the mortgage industry that believes in everyone for who they are, wants them to succeed because of their talents and abilities, and makes them feel safe, welcome and most importantly, PROUD, the company said.
“Our business has always been a place where everyone is welcome and respected,” said Victor Ciardelli, Guaranteed Rate founder and CEO. “With the launching of our PROUD organization, Guaranteed Rate will have an additional platform to promote workplace diversity, particularly as it relates to members of the LGBTQ community. My long-term hope is that this type of inclusionary work-place model will be adopted and embraced by all kinds of employers throughout the country.”
To support continued inclusion at Guaranteed Rate, PROUD offers education, awareness and a support network for LGBTQ+ initiatives.
