Realtors make a difference

For the past several years, the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors (GRAR) and their Holiday Party Task Force have put on a holiday party for the organization’s members. The Holiday Party Task Force is made up of volunteers that plan the event and work to sell tickets to the organization’s members.

Through a message on each ticket, the Task Force asks each ticket buyer to bring a new, unwrapped gift to the event for Hillside Special Santas.

“We have a tremendous group of volunteers that make up the Holiday Party Task Force. I have been involved over the last several years and we usually average 200 gifts at our event. It is a tremendous sight to see the table expand with gifts as the Realtors enter the event,” says John Antetomaso, Re/Max Plus Realtor and GRAR member.

As in past years, Hillside Special Santas Director Sally Bohne attended this year’s event.

“Sally has become a great friend of our event,” says John.

He adds that the party and the gift donations are just another way that Realtors in the Rochester area make a difference in the community.

“If you ask any of us, we are so happy to do it,” says John.The children and families that benefit from the gifts the Realtors donated to Hillside Special Santas are also happy because the simple act of donating a gift has helped to make their holiday brighter.