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Tailgate Time!
Today’s fun fact is that today is our annual Tailgate Party to benefit the Windermere Foundation.
You are invited! Feel free to stop by our Fort Collins office located at 255 E. Monroe Drive right by Trader Joe’s.
All of the fun will be set up outside of our office.
We have food, drinks, music, and activities for kids including bouncy houses and a face painter.
We will have a raffle of amazing gifts with all proceeds going to our very own Windermere Foundation.
This party is a Fall tradition for us and we love the chance to connect with our clients while benefiting a worthy cause.
You can see all the details plus RSVP HERE.
The Fire’s Impact
Our heart goes out to all of the people impacted by the Marshall Fire in Boulder County.
If you would like to give your support, we have set up a special fund through the Windermere Foundation where we will match any donation you make up to $5000.
You can make that donation HERE.
This devastating event will have significant impacts on the real estate market both short term and medium term.
There are some interesting things to consider related to the fire:
- This will be the costliest wildfire in Colorado history, by far. The total losses will probably approach $800 million. The most expensive wildfire up until now was last year’s East Troublesome fire at just over $500 million.
- It’s likely that the vast majority of the residential property owners who lost their homes were underinsured. Given the recent rise in both property values and construction costs, these homeowners may find that their insurance won’t cover their actual loss. We encourage everyone to check in on their own property insurance versus actual replacement costs.
- Nearly 1000 households are now in need of housing. Today there are only 161 residential properties for sale in Boulder County. In addition, the rental market also has low supply. We expect that many of the people impacted will consider housing alternatives outside of Boulder County simply out of necessity.
- The homebuilding industry is currently challenged with both labor and material shortages. It may take long time to replace the properties that were destroyed by the fire.
Again, we are so sad for the people who were impacted. We are also encouraged to see all the different ways that our community has stepped up to help.
Windermere Foundation Approaches $1.5 Million Raised in 2021
Windermere offices across the Western U.S. have remained committed to serving their communities in 2021, collectively raising nearly $1.5 million so far this year alone, pushing the foundation’s grand total raised since 1989 to nearly $45 million. After a successful Community Service Day in June and a first half of the year which saw over $1 million raised, Windermere offices have continued to give back this summer. Here are some recent highlights from across our network.
Windermere Utah
Windermere Utah has always been deeply rooted in its community, and 2021 has been no different. This year alone, they have hosted multiple fundraisers and supported several organizations to affect positive change in their community.
One of the greatest challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has put on schoolchildren is access to technology. After searching for a way to provide digital access to local schoolchildren, Windermere Utah came across the organization Spy Hop, based in Salt Lake City. Spy Hop is a digital media arts center that provides classes in film, music, audio, and design for students between the ages of nine and nineteen. They offer mentoring and host technology drives to provide computers for students in need through a program called the Technology Liberation Project. Windermere Utah donated $3,000 to support Spy Hop’s programs while sponsoring their technology drive in August.
The office also rallied together to support Lincoln Elementary School. As a Title I school, they cannot ask for supplies or funds, often leaving them underfunded compared to other schools in the area. Windermere Utah donated $1,000 for kids to purchase the supplies they need for the school year.
From Left to Right: Misty Medina, Laurann Turner, Lincoln Elementary Rep, Shawnee Cooper, Lincoln Elementary Rep, Michelle Adkins, Chelle Preslar, Kelly Silvestor, and Stephanie Vera
Windermere Evergreen – Evergreen, CO
Windermere Evergreen has close ties to the local Rotary Wildfire Ready program and given the prevalence of wildfires across the Western U.S. in recent years, the office was inspired to tap their Foundation resources to support local wildfire relief efforts. John Putt–managing broker at Windermere Evergreen—is a member of the Rotary Wildfire Ready leadership council. A former paramedic and firefighter, he is passionate about providing resources and education to mountain communities regarding wildfire preparedness. After trying to come up with ways to support the program, they settled on a classic method of bringing the community together—a good old tailgate party. The office donated $1,000 to support the Rotary Wildfire Ready program, and the first annual Windermere Foundation Tailgate Party saw members of the community come together from all corners of town.
The Evergreen, Colorado Rotary Wildfire Ready firetruck.
Windermere Spokane – Spokane, WA
After hosting a blood drive earlier this year, Windermere Spokane has continued to find ways they can provide for those in need in their community. In early September, they turned their attention toward Spokane’s youth. When they saw the Spokane branch of Volunteers of America announce that they were planning to move their Crosswalk Youth Shelter across town to a new facility, the office jumped at the opportunity to help. Windermere Spokane held a matching fundraiser that ultimately raised over $21,000 for the new shelter. But the office’s recent foundation efforts didn’t stop there.
In preparation for the new school year, the office held their Spokane Sock and Shoe Event to support local low-income and homeless grade school-aged kids with new pairs of shoes and socks. This year’s event provided new shoes and socks for 116 kids.
Left to Right: Windermere agents Blythe Thimsen and Brenda McKinley
Windermere agent Brenda McKinley
Kritsonis Lindor Team — Windermere Bellevue South – Bellevue, WA
Windermere agents John Kritsonis and Karl Lindor of Kritsonis Lindor have been strong supporters of the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank in years past, but the continued challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that the IFCB needed their support more than ever. After food insecurity for children in their county jumped 54% in 2020, John and Karl knew they had to go all-in for their community. They doubled down on their fundraising campaign with a $25,000 match, ultimately raising $55,958. On August 20, their team spent the day volunteering at the food bank, putting together produce bags, and passing out groceries to families. All in all, they were able to provide groceries to over 120 families and over 350 kids. Their donations will support IFCB’s summer lunch program, which feeds roughly 300 children weekly during the summer.
To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit windermerefoundation.com.
Electronic Device Drive Has Been Extended!!!
We still need more devices!!! ChildSafe needs our help! Join us, through the Windermere Foundation, in an to benefit Childsafe.
One of the many challenges of the pandemic is getting support out to children that are currently benefiting from Childsafe services. Many children are home with their abusers during these days of quarantine. We are in need of iPads, tablets or old computers with internet and video capabilities to help these children get the support/services they need.
Please drop off your old devices at either the Windsor or Fort Collins Windermere offices. All equipment will go through a professional cleaning and memory clear. Thank you in advance for your help in this project. Donations are NOW being accepted until 10/01/2020. #AllInForCommunity #WindermereFoundation
**Don’t have a device to donate? ChildSafe also accepts financial donations. Just click on the link below!! **
Electronic Device Drive!!!
ChildSafe needs our help! Join us, through the Windermere Foundation, in an to benefit Childsafe.
One of the many challenges of the pandemic is getting support out to children that are currently benefiting from Childsafe services. Many children are home with their abusers during these days of quarantine. We are in need of iPads, tablets or old computers with internet and video capabilities to help these children get the support/services they need.
Please drop off your old devices at either the Windsor or Fort Collins Windermere offices. All equipment will go through a professional cleaning and memory clear. Thank you in advance for your help in this project. Donations are being accepted until 9/25/2020. #AllInForCommunity #WindermereFoundation
**Don’t have a device to donate? ChildSafe also accepts financial donations. Just click on the link below!! **
Neighbors in Need Raises $690,000 for Food Banks
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected populations across the globe, but those who struggle with poverty and count on food programs to meet their basic day-to-day needs are in an especially uncertain place. While coping with increased demand and a bottlenecked pipeline of food supply, food banks are desperate for funds to continue to serve their communities. Because of this, Windermere decided to challenge its offices to raise $250,000, every dollar of which would be matched by the Windermere Foundation and donated to food banks in the areas where Windermere operates. We titled it the “Neighbors in Need” fundraising campaign.
Neighbors in Need kicked off on April 21, with the goal of raising $250,000 by May 5. As word continued to spread, online donations and contributions from both our agents and the public began to increase. Neighbors in Need was given a boost by Seattle Seahawks starting safety Quandre Diggs in a heartfelt message encouraging support. Over the final 24 hours, leading up to the May 5 deadline, support poured in from across the Windermere family as the final figure exceeded the initial goal of $500,000, landing at a total of $690,000.
Neighbors in Need exemplifies Windermere’s deep commitment to supporting our local communities, which traces back to 1989 when the Windermere Foundation first started. Since then, we’ve proudly raised more than $41 million for low-income and homeless families throughout the Western U.S.
On behalf of the Windermere Foundation to all those who joined the effort: Thank you. We could not have made this large of an impact without your help. We are humbled to be able to do our part to help those who need it most during these uncertain times.
Windermere Foundation Has Raised Over $1.5 Million This Year!
Windermere offices throughout the Western U.S. have been busy raising money and making donations to non-profit organizations in their local communities that provide services to low-income and homeless families. And their efforts are paying off; so far this year we’ve raised over $1.5 million, bringing the total raised by the Windermere Foundation to $39.5 million since 1989.
Here are just a few examples of how our offices are giving back to their communities:
Fort Collins, Colorado
The Windermere Real Estate office in Fort Collins held its 5th Annual Windermere Foundation Tailgate Party on Friday, September 20. The family-friendly event featured food, drinks, a bouncy house obstacle course, corn hole, face painting, and live music. Over $1,800 was raised for the Windermere Foundation during this event. All proceeds from the tailgate “party with a purpose” benefitted Partners Mentoring Youth and Crossroads Safehouse.
Centralia, Washington
The Windermere office in Centralia, WA sponsored the “Down Home: A Toledo Shindig” event held at Bonanza BBQ on September 14 to benefit Toledo School District students in need. Local businesses and residents came together to donate auction items, food, and volunteer their time. Windermere owner Dan Gorton spearheaded the organization of the fundraising event, seeing a need in the community that was not being met. The Gortons provided the venue and the BBQ. Other sponsors provided additional food items, entertainment, and big-ticket items for the auction. The event raised $34,000 for a fund to help provide basic needs for students in the school district, things that low-income families couldn’t otherwise afford.
Photo Courtesy of Josie Ray Photography
Spokane, Washington
The Windermere office in Spokane, WA held their annual Windermere Shoes and Socks Event at their local Big 5 sporting goods store on August 24. Windermere agents and family members volunteered their time to help 132 children select a pair of shoes and socks. An additional 250 pairs of socks were also donated by Liberty Lake Rotary. In total, the Windermere office donated over $5,400 to provide shoes and socks to local children in need.
Windermere offices are proud to host events in their communities, like the ones mentioned above. These generous donations to the Windermere Foundation further our mission to support low-income and homeless families in the areas where we live and work. If you’d like to help support programs in your community, please click the Donate button.
To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit WindermereFoundation.com.
Building Stronger Communities By Helping Those In Need
We’re halfway through the Windermere Foundation’s 30-year anniversary and our offices aren’t showing any signs of slowing down their donations. Last quarter, the Windermere Foundation collected $556,937, bringing our year-to-date total to $865,029, and our grand total to $38,871,157 raised since 1989. These donations are used to support non-profit organizations and programs that help low-income and homeless families throughout the Western U.S.
Every Windermere office has its own Windermere Foundation fund account from which they make donations to help those in need in their local communities. This quarter, we’re highlighting Windermere offices in Oregon, Utah, and Colorado, which are each doing their part to give back by hosting clothing and donation drives, contributing to educational programs, and funding weekend backpack meals for public elementary schools.
Windermere Medford
The Windermere office in Medford, Oregon collected clothing donations for CASA of Jackson County’s summer clothing drive for kids in local foster care homes. The Windermere agents also volunteered their time to help sort and put away the collected items. According to CASA, the donations are enough to help 150 kids going through the court and foster care system. CASA was grateful to have the help and support of the Windermere Medford office.
“Thank you all for everything! Your team goes over the top each year and it is so fun and heartwarming. If we could only share the stories of these children, but please know what a difference having a new summer outfit, shoes, swimsuits, etc. makes. Many, many happy hearts and smiles to come!” ~Erin Carpenter, Development and Media Manager, CASA of Jackson County
Windermere Utah
The Windermere offices in Utah combined their funding to make a donation to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Salt Lake City Walk. Through the Windermere Foundation, they donated $5,000 to raise awareness about mental health issues and teen suicide. The mission of the AFSP is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. The programs are offered in schools and include speakers which are usually the surviving parents or other siblings telling their stories of loss to prevent others from making the same deadly mistakes.
Windermere DTC
The Windermere DTC office in Centennial, CO donated $5,000 to The CE Shop Foundation to support their recent fundraising campaign at the Elephant Rock Cycling Festival. Donations collected will help fund weekend backpacks of food for two Denver public elementary schools for the 2019-2020 school year. The CE Shop Foundation is on a quest to help Eliminate Childhood Hunger.
Thanks to our agents, offices, and everyone who supports the Windermere Foundation, we have been able to make a difference in the lives of many families in our local communities. This year we celebrate the Windermere Foundation’s 30th anniversary with a renewed year-long focus on giving back, doing more, and providing service to the communities that have made us who we are.
Our goal for 2019 is to raise over $40 million in total donations. If you’d like to help us reach this goal, or learn more about the Windermere Foundation, please visit WindermereFoundation.com.
Windermere Foundation by the Numbers
For the past 29 years, the Windermere Foundation has been helping those in need in our communities through donations to local organizations that provide services to low-income and homeless families. In 2017, the Windermere Foundation raised over $2.4 million in donations, bringing the total to over $35 million raised since we started this effort in 1989. The following infographic details exactly how these funds were dispersed in 2017 and the types of organizations that benefited from them. For more information please visit windermere.com/foundation.
