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RED OAK’S “ROOF” RAISES THE ROOF $100,000 AWARDED FOR 2006 GRANTS The sound of music resonated from the Pleasant Valley office of Red Oak Realty at Pleasant Valley and Broadway, Oakland, last Thursday evening January 18th, 2007.
Children in Cantare Con Vivo Children’s Choirs of Oakland gave stirring renditions of Do-Re-Mi and Hava Nagila as the crowd of agents, donors and grant recipients clapped along. Cantare was one of the grant recipients for 2006. The feel-good occasion was the annual Awards Evening for the Red Oak Opportunity Foundation (“ROOF”), a time to celebrate raising more than $100,000 in 2006, and a time for each of the grantees to network with one another and receive their checks. ROOF, Red Oak Realty’s charitable foundation that began in 1985, was born out of a desire to give back to the communities Red Oak serves. It was initially funded by Red Oak Realty and its agents, who donated portions of each commission to the foundation. In recent years it has also been supported by Red Oak Realty’s clients, business associates, angels, and members of the public. Over the years, ROOF has granted over $600,000 to local education, housing, and other local charitable organizations who do not receive significant funding elsewhere.
The evening’s master of ceremonies was Laurie Capitelli, Berkeley City Councilperson and Red Oak partner. Berkeley’s Mayor Tom Bates joined in the festivities and praised the work of ROOF. After Capitelli handed out grant checks to the grateful recipients, coffee, cake and cupcakes donated by La Farine Bakery of Berkeley was enjoyed by all.
“Despite the downturn in the real estate market last year,” said Red Oak partner Bob Blumberg, “thanks to the wonderful generosity of our agents, business associates, and clients, ROOF was able to have its best year ever, and we can continue to help good people in their tireless efforts to make our community a little bit better place to live.” Addressing the assembled grant recipients, Capitelli said “We thank YOU. You are the ones in the trenches, doing the difficult day to day grind that is so important and necessary. We are happy to do what we can to recognize your efforts. We are all especially grateful for your hard work.” Among the grant recipients were representatives from the four public education associations in Albany, Berkeley, Oakland, and West Contra Costa County. Red Oak Realty has long been a strong supporter of public education, offering its phone banks for fund raising activities and supporting special projects within individual schools. ROOF has received much praise and recognition for its efforts. In 2005 ROOF was honored with the Distinguished Business Partner Award from the Berkeley Public Education Foundation, one of ROOF’s core recipients. This past year, the Berkeley Association of Realtors gave ROOF its “BAR Cares Award”, given “in appreciation for members who make a difference in our communities.” ROOF is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable foundation. Contributions are tax deductible. Red Oak Realty absorbs all administrative costs, in order to allow 100% of the contributions to be passed through directly for grants. A committee comprised of agents and Red Oak Realty owners makes recommendations for the annual distribution of grants. Non-profit organizations wishing to be considered for a grant, or individuals wishing to make a donation to ROOF, should contact Jimmy Reina, ROOF’s executive director, at 510-280-2103 Red Oak Realty, with three offices in Berkeley and Oakland, celebrated its 30th year in the business this last year, and remains independently owned and operated by its original founders. For many years the San Francisco Business Times has included the company in its list of “Most Productive 25 Real Estate Companies” in the greater 5-county Bay Area. The company serves the communities of Oakland, Piedmont, Berkeley, Kensington, Albany, El Cerrito and Richmond, and surrounding areas. For more information about Red Oak Realty and ROOF, visit their web site at www.redoakrealty.com. 2006 GRANT RECIPIENTS:
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Bob Blumberg
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