On August 31, 2017, a team of Realtors® volunteered their time and effort to join Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk in building a home for the Mendoza family in North Bellport. As leading advocates for sustainable homeownership, Realtors® work hard to help families achieve the dream of homeownership. That’s why it is so important and only natural for the Long Island Board of REALTORS®, Inc. (LIBOR) and our REALTOR® members, to partner with organizations, such as Habitat Suffolk, who create affordable housing opportunities in our communities.
Since 1988, Habitat Suffolk has empowered hundreds of families to achieve their dreams of homeownership through their affordable home ownership program. Habitat Suffolk’s goal is to build an average of 10-12 houses annually, building for as long as needed to make sure every family in Suffolk County has a simple, decent and affordable place to live and call home.
In addition to providing volunteer labor, LIBOR contributed $2,500, through the “We’re More than REALTORS®” campaign, to help in the build of the home. For the past eleven years LIBOR has sponsored the building of Habitat for Humanity homes across Long Island.
Our dedicated team of Realtor® volunteers spent the day finishing the frame of the house, because a great home starts with a solid foundation. In the words of future homeowner Jahaira Mendoza, who will inhabit the house with her two daughters, “Words cannot explain how happy and blessed we are. Habitat, sponsors, and volunteers are our angels. You are making our dream come true to have a house.”
Making a difference in our communities and touching lives in the neighborhoods in which we serve is what LIBOR's "We're More Than Realtors®" campaign is all about. The “We’re More than Realtors®” campaign was created by LIBOR’s Public Relations Committee in 2006. Through this campaign, LIBOR supports numerous organizations, philanthropic programs and charitable community efforts across Long Island and throughout the world.
Special thanks goes to our volunteers who helped build the house – Fabienne Alexandre, Matthew Arnold, Vashti Beharry, Stephen Brandes-Plackis, Tanya Brandes-Plackis, Ashley Capitelli, Victoria Carey, Peter A. Castelli, Ori Chimino, Marilyn Flanagan, Susan Hamblen, Jason Jenkins, Tony Maciaszek, Pauline Maiero, Renee Mannella, Billy Miller, Mike Miller, Jeffrey Mistretta, Lois Nash, Tony Russo and Ronald Zarembok.