Wilmington real estate agency, Do Good Real Estate, recently became the first certified Benefit Corporation, or B Corporation, here.

In February, North Carolina legislators introduced a law to establish this new type of corporation to meet more rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. It passed in the Senate 50 to 0, but the session ended before it made it to the House. It will be reintroduced to the House in the next session.

Do Good Real Estate is a real estate agency that donates 20 percent of sales commissions to Wilmington nonprofits, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Carolina Canines, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the DREAMS center for arts education.

“We became a B Corp because it’s too easy for any company to just claim they are trustworthy. By becoming a certified B Corp we are proving it to our clients and the community,” said Ryan Crecelius, owner of Do Good Real Estate in a news release.

B Corporations must pass a ratings system that assesses the company’s social and environmental impact, adopt the B Corporation legal framework and sign a term sheet. Independent, third-party non-profit organization, B Labs, certifies the companies. It is based in Berwyn, Pa.

North Carolina companies that have received certification include Durham-based e-mail marketing software provider iContact, Charlotte commercial real estate firm Machen Advisory Group and Wilmington public accounting firm, Adam Shay CPA, PLLC.

Currently, five states have passed Benefit Corporation legislation – Hawaii, Virginia, Maryland, Vermont and New Jersey.

Watch Do Good’s first donation to the local chapter of “Make a Wish”…

Bill was involuntarily reactivated in the Army in February 2009 & sent to Afghanistan where he was attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne with the 431st Civil Affairs. It was here where he received care packages on a regular basis. When asked how important these where Bill says, “If you didn’t have it on your back you didn’t have it at all.  These care packages were crucial for the the moral of the soldiers and for helping with basic needs. Recognition by the Secretary & the Department of Defense is very rare. David and PruLaney should be proud of their service to our troops & we’re very appreciative that they continue to send these packages to our fellow soldiers.”

Bill was with Cunningham & Company prior to being activated & he is now back with them as a loan officer after serving his country. On behalf of Bill & his comrades, he graciously expresses his many thanks to David & all of the generous REALTORS® at Prudential Laney Real Estate.

David Small (center) of Prudential Laney receiving Patriotic Employer Award from SSG Jones (right) & Bill Moore (left)

Bill Moore in Afghanistan

http://www.homes4nc.org/uploads/2011Auctioninfo2.pdf

Sadly, this story is one of the bright spots from that tragic day. Currently at 125, the death toll is still rising as recovery efforts take place.

REALTORS® and state and local associations opened their hearts and stood tall when our nation was attacked on 9/11, and when Katrina struck Louisiana and Mississippi.  Now it is time for the REALTOR® family to stand tall again. Your donation to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) will directly help those who have lost so much.  We are gearing up to send disaster assistance to Missouri, even as we continue our goal of helping the southeastern states who have endured the unimaginable.  We know we’ll be hearing from others who need us—it’s just a matter of time.  But we can’t do it without your help.

Let’s show the victims of these natural disasters that no one cares more about our neighbors and our communities than those who work every day to make them stronger—REALTORS®.

We can’t let another day pass.   Make a difference today with your tax deductible contribution to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation.  Click on the link below to give online today.

https://secure.realtor.org/RelFundTrack.nsf/Contribution?OpenForm

If you prefer to send a check, please make your contribution payable to “RRF” and mail to:

REALTORS® Relief Foundation
430 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL  60611

With your donation today, we can work together to restore hope when hope and the chance of a brighter tomorrow is needed most right now.

Sincerely,

Ron Phipps, ABR®, CRS, e-Pro®, GREEN, GRI
2011 NAR President

Martin Edwards, Jr., CCIM
2011 REALTORS® Relief Foundation President

P.S.  You aren’t just making a donation, you are delivering hope.  Through the efforts of the REALTORS® Relief Foundation, you can help families rebuild and, once again, have a place to call “home.”

Hosted by the WRAR Partners for Affordable Homeownership (PAH) Committee
on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at Hanover Center.

Special thanks to co-sponsors Homes4NC, NC Workforce Housing Specialists &
Hanover Center for making this event possible!

REALTOR® Magazine is seeking nominations for the 12th annual Good Neighbor Awards. The program recognizes REALTORS® who’ve made an extraordinary commitment to community service. Five winners will be announced in November in REALTOR® Magazine and at the 2011 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Anaheim. The winners will receive a $10,000 grant for their community cause, national publicity, travel expenses to the convention, and a crystal trophy. Good Neighbor Award entries must be received by Friday, May 20, 2011.

As in the case of the recent earthquakes in New Zealand, NAR has identified four funds that we believe are well equipped to provide disaster-relief services. We urge NAR members who want to make a donation to consider one of these four organizations. The star-ratings (four stars being the highest), scores and descriptions of the funds were pulled word-for-word from the Web site CharityNavigator.org. Here are helpful giving tips. Charity Navigator has provided for those who want to send donations.

NAR is also staying in touch with local REALTOR® associations on the West Coast that have close ties to Japan. If they plan any specific relief efforts, we will let members know.

1. AmeriCares
Overall Rating: Four Stars

AmeriCares is a nonprofit global health and disaster relief organization whose passion to help is matched by its ability to deliver. In times of epic disaster, daily struggle or civil conflict, AmeriCares restores health and saves lives by delivering donated medicines, medical supplies and humanitarian aid to people in need around the world and across the United States. Since its founding in 1982, AmeriCares has delivered more than $9 billion in aid to 147 countries. AmeriCares is able to maximize the impact of each donation due to its gift-in-kind model and the contributions received from pharmaceutical and medical supply manufacturers, as well as our partnerships with local health care providers around the world. Historically, for every $100 donated, AmeriCares is able to deliver more than $3,500 in humanitarian relief to people in need, including medicines, medical supplies, nutritional supplements and other vital aid. Donate to AmeriCares’ Japan relief.

2. Habitat for Humanity International
Overall Rating: Four Stars

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is an ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.5 million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. Habitat is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety. Donate to HHI’s Japan relief.

3. UNICEF-USA
Overall Rating: Four Stars

The United States Fund for UNICEF was founded in 1947 to support the work of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) by raising funds for its programs and increasing awareness of the challenges facing the world’s children. The oldest of 37 national committees for UNICEF worldwide, we are part of a global effort to save, protect and improve children’s lives. Every moment of every day, UNICEF is on the ground providing lifesaving help for children in need. We provide families with clean water and sanitation, we vaccinate against childhood illness, and we help protect children against malaria. We provide nourishment to fight malnutrition, and we care for children affected by AIDS. We protect children from abuse, and we give them an education. We are here to make sure that all children lead a healthy, humane, and dignified life. Donate to UNICEF’s Japan relief.

4. World Vision
Overall Rating: Four Stars

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Donate to WorldVision’s Japan relief.

Danny Brock Golden R Donor President’s Circle Member	Faye Brock Sterling R Donor President’s Circle Member	Patrice Willetts Sterling R Donor President’s Circle Member
Karen Parkin 99 Club	R.J. Alexoudis 99 Club	Sandra Beals 99 Club
Jody Wainio 99 Club	Tom Gale 99 Club	Carlos Braxton 99 Club
John Pierson 99 Club	Jerry Panz Crystal R Donor

RPAC is the voice of REALTORS® on Capitol Hill. Since 1969, RPAC has been promoting the election of pro-REALTOR® candidates across the United States. During the last federal election cycle alone, RPAC contributed over $12 million to pro-REALTOR® candidates to Congress, making it the number one trade association political action committee in the nation. Why has RPAC been successful? Because RPAC is not a charity. RPAC is a business and it’s because of members like the ones above that have made it so successful. To view more info, please Click Here.

Interested in donating? Please contact the WRAR Office at 910.762.7400 for assistance.

 Tim Milam, President of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty
Wednesday, September 8th from 1:00PM to 3:00PM

VS.

Jim Wallace, President of Intracoastal Realty
Wednesday, September 15th from 1:00PM to 3:00PM

Please be sure to stop by this friendly competition at Rita’s Lumina Commons
location to see who can scoop the most Italian Ice for the AHA!

All of the money raised will go to each individual firm’s heart walk team.
The firm that raises the most money WINS!