WALTHAM, Mass. – October 18, 2011 – Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) announced today that Karen King of RE/MAX Prestige in Wilbraham and Robbi Rubenstein of RE/MAX Prestige in Northborough were named MAR’s 2011 Good Neighbor Award winners.  The Good Neighbor Award recognizes REALTORS® for their community activism.  The awards were presented at MAR’s Professional Awards Reception, which was held in conjunction with the Association’s 2011 Conference and Tradeshow at the DCU Center in Worcester.

 

“To be a ‘Good Neighbor’ means you have committed not only money, but also time, sweat, and sometimes tears, to help others in need,” said 2011 MAR President Laurie Cadigan, broker/owner of Barrett & Company in Concord. “The dedication displayed by our 2011 Good Neighbor Award winners and nominees is both outstanding and inspiring and is a good model for anyone to follow.” 

 

Karen King, RE/MAX Prestige, Wilbraham for Monson Tornado Volunteers “Street Angel” Program:
On June 1, 2011 a tornado ravaged the town of Monson and destroyed over 100 homes. That night, Monson resident Karen King started an all-out effort to help her fellow residents. She opened her home to 14 tornado survivors who only had the clothes on their backs for three weeks. She worked within the REALTOR® community to help find people homes and resources. Because of the work she has done, over 20 families have been placed into temporary homes by taking listings off the market to help those in need. She has gone on the radio to raise money, spoken to civic groups to get volunteers and regularly attends both FEMA and town emergency management meetings.

 

As part of the effort, King started the “Street Angel” program. Through this program, volunteers go door-to-door once a week to check on those affected by the storm and let them know what resources are available.

Robbi Rubenstein, RE/MAX Prestige, Northborough for the Central Massachusetts Chapter of the Well Spouse Association:
Knowing first-hand that care giving is a continuous job that can strain a relationship between a sick and well spouse, Robbi Rubenstein started the Central Massachusetts Chapter of the Well Spouse Association. The chapter provides a place where caregivers can take a temporary break from the job of care giving and find resources for them to better manage their lives. Without a proper support system, caregivers – and their sick partners- can suffer far more than they need to emotionally, physically, and financially.

 

Rubenstein works with doctors, attorneys, financial specialists and other professionals in the community to offer advice and other services to members. In addition, she facilitates a monthly discussion group for Well Spouses to share their experiences with one another.

 

About The MAR Good Neighbor Award:   
Established in 2004 and presented annually, the MAR Good Neighbor Award recognizes REALTORS® who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to community service through volunteerism and civic and charitable contributions that improve the lives of local residents and make their community a better place to live.    

 

Entries are accepted from industry practitioners and the 16 local REALTOR® associations in Massachusetts, and selection of the award recipients is made by a sub-committee of the MAR Communications & Public Relations Committee.  The award recipient receives a commemorative trophy and a $1,500 grant from the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® in the name of their designated charity.

 

About the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®:  
Organized in 1924, the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® is a professional trade organization with more than 18,000 members.  The term REALTOR® is registered as the exclusive designation of members of the National Association of REALTORS® who subscribe to a strict code of ethics and enjoy continuing education programs.

 

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Editors and reporters: Please note that the term Realtor is properly spelled with an initial capital “R”, per the Associated Press Stylebook.