Realtors donate $34,000 to build Habitat home

Habitat for Humanity is closer to being able to build a home thanks to a donation by the Bonita Springs Estero Association of Realtors Inc.

The Realtors got together during a December auction and collected $34,000 — just $15,000 shy of the $50,000 needed to build a Habitat home.

“This money will help us raise a home with the folks from BEAR and we are grateful that they made us a cause they want to support,” said Michael Mansfield, the vice president of development and communication for Habitat for Humanity.

Mansfield was presented with the $34,000 check recently during BEAR’s first meeting of the year. The meeting gave everyone a chance to see how the money was going to be spent.

“It’s phenomenal what they were able to do in one night,” Mansfield said after the presentation.

During one night in December the Realtors were able to raise the money by hosting a series of live and silent auctions. Attendees bid on trips, dinners and other offerings that were donated by local businesses.

“I thought they did an outstanding job all in one night. I couldn’t believe it,” said Betty Jean Christensen, BEAR spokesperson.
The event also gave BEAR members a chance to invite guests and some members of the public.

“It’s a wonderful feeling that we can help in this way. It’s truly what this group is about,” said Jim Scartz, the president of BEAR.

Scartz said that partnering with Habitat for Humanity and BEAR is an ideal match because Realtors sell homes to help people and Habitat builds them.

“It’s a perfect fit because we are in a similar business and we try to do whatever we can for local residents,” Scartz said.

BEAR has more events in the works like a golf outing that will help BEAR reach the goal Habitat needs to build a home. The home will most likely be built in Lehigh Acres although BEAR preferred to help build a house in Bonita Springs.

“It will probably be up there because we currently have three homes going in Bonita Springs and we don’t own any more land down here,” said Mansfield, who will let BEAR members know when the homes will be built so members can help with the construction phase as well. "We serve the lowest of the low incomes wise and this money will get us to help even more and that’s what this is about.”