Community Service | Milestone

Building Louisville Houses, Relationships and Communities One By One

March 21, 2011

By Sherry Spanyer

I had the opportunity to visit the corner of 41st and Market Street to see the Fuller Center for Housing in action today. They came in one by one, tired, hungry and all smiles. There were kids of all ages taking their Spring Break and giving our fine City something to smile about. There were also many adults visiting for the sole purpose of helping us build Louisville houses. I was there as part of our local chapter for Women’s Council of Realtors to sponsor their lunch. This however, is only part of the story.

Fuller Project in Louisville

The real story is about the relationships that are built, the Community benefiting by the build and most importantly about Juanita and Caroline. I was amazed by the camaraderie between the workers. Most all are from different states and different backgrounds who come together to achieve something very wonderful. Mary from New Jersey, Tim from Minnesota, a couple from Florida and the many many others.

It was quite a joy walking down the sidewalk and seeing house after house being worked on. There was new vinyl, fresh paint, a new roof and then across the street, a brand new house was going up. The City of Louisville is a little brighter today because of all the work, rehab, and cleaning up of the area. Our Louisville houses are being blessed and our community is a little stronger.

Fuller Project in Louisville

And then there is Juanitta and Caroline. I met them both today at lunch. Caroline is getting a new home for her and her daughter and grandchildren. She smiled from ear to ear and praised God for her fortune. Juanita has the brand new house that is almost complete. She was an absolute delight. Both women were warm, inviting, and absolutely grateful.

I was honored to be a small part of something wonderful within our Community! I am sending good wishes to Juanita and Caroline, to Greater Louisville Women’s Council of Realtors and to all that participated in the Derby City Fuller House Build. I am certain Louisville is a better place because of you!

Comments (3)

Pins For Purpose

January 25, 2011

By Sherry Spanyer

Louisville houses

Greater Louisville Association of Realtors Community Task Force is having their 2011 Charity Bowl-A-Thon at King Pin Lanes in J’ Town. Real Estate Agents will be spilling out of their Louisville houses and heading to the lanes. All donations this year will go to a member of our GLAR community that has been ill. This year on February 15, instead of showing Louisville Houses, our agents will be knocking down Pins for a Purpose.

We are expecting a full bowling Alley with all lanes taken. Our wonderful Affiliates donated door prizes of gas cards and restaurant gift certificates from across the city. We have a DJ playing our favorite music and a hot lunch is provided. Most companies will sponsor several teams. Milestone Realty has two teams and ready to compete!

Many agents give back to their community through volunteering, raising money and hard work. This task will be great fun!

Get well Mike!

Comments (0)

Chili Cook-off to Benefit the Needy A Huge Success

December 17, 2010

By Becky Locknane

On Tuesday, December 14, 2010, Milestone Realty Consultants’ Louisville office hosted the annual Chili Cook-off to Benefit the Needy.

Agents that sell Louisville houses from various Brokers around Louisville were in attendance. Everyone looks forward to coming by to taste the different chili that are prepared by Milestone agents. This year we had five batches of chili to choose from – there would have been six but Michelle Schnell’s chili ended up in the floorboard of her car!

Reigning Chili Cook-off Champion, Dennis Miller

The agents that made chili this year were Sherry Spanyer, Dennis Miller, Danielle Dugan, Sally Ford and yours truly. The attendees paid $6 to taste all the chilies and then vote on their favorite. Once again, Dennis Miller of The Miller Team was the proud winner of his award winning chili! Rumor has it that he paid people off to vote for his chili.

Proceeds from the chili cook-off totaled $350 and were donated to two different charities. One was Family Scholar House which is a community of families, volunteers, staff members and donors that believe education offers opportunities and hope to disadvantaged single-parent families. By providing supportive housing, academic advising, childcare, case management, mentoring, tutoring, basic needs and development programs for all ages, Family Scholar House makes it possible for very low-income single parents to continue raising their children while completing their college degree. All families seeking assistance from Family Scholar House are homeless or in unstable housing and over 90% have been victims of domestic violence. Education offers a way to transition from poverty to self-sufficiency and to offer a brighter future for their children. Many of the graduates end up buying Louisville houses which, in most cases, is their first home.

The other charity that received a donation is Rosehaven which is an organization that provides transitional care for women and children in crisis.

A great time was had by everyone and the Christmas spirit was very much alive!

Comments (0)

Milestone Decorates Tree for Festival of Tress and Lights

November 17, 2010

By Becky Locknane

Agents and staff at Milestone Realty Consultants in Louisville, Kentucky had a great time getting together to decorate a tree for the 21st Annual Festival of Trees and Lights benefiting Kosair Children’s Hospital- Kentucky’s only full-service, free-standing pediatric hospital.

Milestone decorates for the 21st Annual Festival of Trees and Lights benefiting Kosair Children’s Hospital

The theme of Milestone’s tree was “Beach” decorations. We all had fun picking out cute ornaments relating to the beach. Lunch was provided and everyone was in a festive mood while listening to Jimmy Buffett Christmas Carols. (How appropriate to go along with the theme). There was a section at the Festival that was “Realtor Row” and many Real Estate Brokerages that sell Louisville houses participated, including Milestone Realty Consultants.

The Festival took place at Louisville Slugger Field November 12-14 and there was a special preview event on November 11th. Many turned out to see the beautifully lit trees and enjoyed lots of goodies from the Sweet Shop.

The proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit expansion at Kosair Children’s Hospital.

Comments (0)

Lexington Clinic Holding Second Annual Pink Tree Lighting Charity Event for Breast Care on Dec. 2, 2010.

November 10, 2010

By Katie Rowan

Lexington Clinic Center for Breast Care to Hold Second Annual Pink Tree Lighting Charity Event

The Lexington Clinic Center for Breast Care’s Annual Pink Tree Lighting Ceremony is held in honor and in memory of loved ones affected by breast cancer. They feel privileged that they are able to have this event two years in a row. Many of our Bluegrass homes have been effected by this disease and it has touched so many of our lives. The event is open to the public and will be at the Lexington Clinic Center for Breast Care on December 2, 2010, from 6:00 p.m-7:00 p.m. Come to support or honor your loved one that have had to deal with the plight of breast cancer and celebrate their lives with refreshments and holiday music performed by the University of Kentucky Paws and Listen women’s a cappella choir. You can even donate a dollar or more to the American Cancer Society and the name of your loved one will be announced as the trees are lit. For more information or to make donations, call 859.258.4654.

Comments (0)

Oh, What A Night!

November 3, 2010

By Becky Locknane

I was privileged to attend “Ball Homes Night of Hope” last week at the Lexington Opera House . This was the second annual “Ball Homes Night of Hope” which benefits the men and women of the Hope Center.

Deborah Back, Cherie Butler, Judy Craft, and Beck Locknane at "Oh what a night!", a Ball Homes sponsored event.

The Hope Center was opened in 1993 and serves as a safe and accessible shelter for the homeless. It also provides services that encourage movement out of shelter dependency. The Hope Center’s Mission Statement is: To care for homeless and at-risk persons by providing life-rebuilding services that are comprehensive and address underlying causes.

In addition to some outstanding musicians and vocalists, best-selling author of “The Glass Castle”, Jeannette Walls, shared her inspirational story of growing up in a family struggling with homelessness, alcoholism and mental illness to ultimately bring a message of hope, perseverance and strength.

You know, when we are out there selling Louisville houses, whether to first time home buyers or buyers that are purchasing their second or third home, we sometimes forget that there are people that have no home.

I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to remember those in need and possibly homeless, as we approach the winter months. Find an organization where you can contribute to helping provide HOPE, as Ball Homes did at their “Night of Hope” .

Comments (0)

Milestone’s Dennis Miller ends term as Chairperson of the Community Relation Committee of GLAR this month…

September 24, 2010

By Dennis Miller

This blog comes with mixed feelings in that it marks my last month as serving as the Chairperson of The Community Relation Committee of GLAR. However, being the Chairperson of the most pro-active committee within our Association has not only been a privilege but has also provided me with the opportunity to work with associates that I did not know prior to this year and hopefully offer direction and leadership where necessary.
This has been a very successful year having participated in many great causes. I would like to acknowledge those instrumental in making each project a success.

Visually Impaired Pre-School Walk/Run:  Lester Sanders
Repair Affair: Leesa Hill
Fuller Center Project:  Grace Patterson, Sarai Gumm and Janet Sharber
Chest of Hope: Virginia Gariepy
Kosair Meals:  Karen Bhatt
Dream Factory:  Karla Murphey
Charity Bowl-A-Thon:  Karen Story
Community Wide Clean-Up:  Sherry Spanyer
Camp Quality:  Leesa Hill, Paula Colvin
Gifts for Rosehaven:  Grace Patterson
Gifts for Family Scholar House:  Kristen Mennish

Without those listed along with all of the other members it would not have been possible to have reached out and touched so many people, young and old, in need. However, we are not done yet! Our last project of the year is “PAY IT FORWARD”. At this year’s annual luncheon fifteen individuals or offices will be awarded with a check for $100. It is their responsibility to use this for anything that they feel would be a good cause to help an individual or an organization in need. Or, they can use it for a starter fund for a larger project. We continue in our daily lives, selling Louisiville houses to those in need, but also taking care of the people in them and stive to serve our community while making it stronger and better for generations to come.

Milestone's Dennis Miller and River Bat companion, Buddie Bat, at Carnival Day, Camp Quality 2010

Milestone's Dennis Miller and the rest of the volunteers, at Carnival Day, Camp Quality 2010

Comments (0)

Milestone Realty Sponsors Kentucky Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cancer Survivors Picnic

September 17, 2010

By Judy Craft

Kentucky Children's Hospital Pediatric Cancer Survivors Picnic 2010

On August 28th, 2010 the Kentucky Children’s Hospital held a picnic from noon to 5 p.m. at the University of Kentucky’s E.S. Good Barn field. The picnic is in honor of all current patients and youths that have received treatment in the past. They are allowed to celebrate with their families and nurses to give them the opportunity to just let kids be kids for a day. The picnic wasn’t just an outside meal; there were inflatables, outdoor laser tag, games, a musical performance by Robert Bobbert, a martial arts performance, carnival food galore, a petting zoo, pony rides and prizes for all attendees. Stitches, the children’s hospital mascot also came to join in on the fun. Over 100 companies sponsored this picnic of over 400 guests and Milestone Realty Consultants was proud to be one of them. We sponsored the free t-shirts and invitations that the kids received as well as created a booth that had a caricaturist, a station where we applied temporary tattoos and gave away thousands of Silly Bandz. A special thanks to the Milestone staff that went out on their Saturday to run the booth, John Day, Steve Coffman, April Roe, Emily Estill, Joe Pennebaker, Rebecca Wilkinson, Beth Conover, Katie Rowan and Joyce Jewell. I am happy to say that our staff doesnt just care about Kentucky real estate, they care about people.

Comments (1)

Win A 1965 Mustang Convertible!

August 4, 2010

By Becky Locknane

Wouldn’t you just love to be the proud owner of a gorgeous white vintage mustang convertible?

Realtor®-Housing Community Foundation Flyer

Well, you can! The Realtor Community Housing Foundation, also known as, RCHF, is selling raffle tickets for this beautiful car. All proceeds for the raffle will benefit RCHF.

RCHF is a 502(c) (3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization started in 1992 by the Lexington Bluegrass Association of Realtors® and concerned community members. RCHF programs make exterior home repairs for low-income owners 62 yrs old and older and also builds RAMPS for people with disabilities.

Members of the Lexington Bluegrass Association of Realtors® is made up of Realtors® all over Central Kentucky. These agents sell many Bluegrass Homes and their participation in RCHF is a way for them to give back to the Real Estate Industry for those in need in Central Kentucky.

If you would like to purchase a ticket, you can email me at blocknane@milestoneky.com or call me at (859) 514-5417. Tickets are only $50 and only 2000 will be sold. Great odds! If you’d like more information on this or would like to help spread the word, here is an Realtor®-Community Housing Foundation Flyer.

Comments (0)

The Fuller Center Project

July 12, 2010

By Dennis Miller

The Fuller Center Project is dedicated to giving rehabbed existing Louisville homes to in need candidates.

Since my last report, the Community Relations Committee of the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors has been very active in numerous projects, thus creating the need for several sub-committees to support each effort. One of our year’s new projects of 2010 is “The Fuller Center Project”. Rather than building a new home for a person in need and just releasing the title to them upon completion, like Habitat for Hummanity does, the Fuller Center Project’s mission is to repair, remodel and rehabilitate existing Louisville houses so that they can be ultimaltey be owned by the person in need after a trial rental period of one year. After a year of compliance, an ownership payment plan is established and the deed is turned over to the individual at that time. This rental period is to help ensure that the candidate recieving the home will be able to make the payments on the home that are required as well as make sure that they have the dedication that is needed to upkeep and care for the property. This particular sub-committee of the Community Relations Committee is chaired by Grace Patterson. The Fuller Center Project had the consistant challenge as with many of our other projects do, which is funding. Through Grace’s dedication and passion to this great cause, our committee unanimously approved to support this effort and we ultimately received a financial commitment from our Louisville Board of Realtors which was then matched by a supporting grant as well! This has provided a great stimulus for upcoming projects for Louisville houses. It is so encouraging for us to see such great progress in the short 8 months of 2010 so far and we look forward to seeing what we can accomplish by year’s end! If you have any questions about The Fuller Center Project or any of our other events, please do not hesitate to give me a call!

Comments (0)

Older Posts

Archives

Enterprise Network

Categories