SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The National Association of REALTORS® Good Neighbor Awards is one of the most prestigious real estate awards in the nation that recognizes REALTORS® who’ve made an extraordinary commitment to improving their 
communities through volunteer service. It’s no surprise that Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty agent Jeff Fields has been selected as a top 10 finalist for its 2020 Good Neighbor Award.
This is the 21st year the Good Neighbor Awards have recognized REALTORS® volunteers who donate time, money and passion to enrich the lives of people in their communities. In the coming weeks, five winners will be selected by a multi-stage, criteria-based judging process. Winners will receive a $10,000 grant and national media exposure for their community charity, including a feature in the November/December issue of REALTOR® Magazine.
The winners will also be recognized at the virtual REALTORS® Conference and Expo this November, while five honorable mention selections will receive a $2,500 grant for their respective nonprofit organizations.
“Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, these REALTORS® have continued to help their neighbors in impactful and inspiring ways,” said NAR President Vince Malta, broker at Malta and Co., Inc., in San Francisco, CA. “I am so proud to honor this year’s Good Neighbor Award finalists for their outstanding volunteer work and for exemplifying everything we strive to be as REALTORS® and as engaged, compassionate members of a community.”
After losing several friends to suicide by the time he was 21, Jeff Fields has been committed to saving teens from what he calls “the most preventable death.” Seeking to turn tragedy into hope for other, Fields got involved with Teen Lifelines, a statewide nonprofit that provides life-saving resources to more than 28,000 teens struggling with suicidal thoughts while providing community education and prevention. He has served as board president of Teen Lifeline. Individually, Fields has been a highly successful fundraiser for Teen Lifeline, calling upon the generosity of some of his real estate clients.
“Jeff puts his heart and soul into everything he does, including Teen Lifeline,” said Todd Gillenwater, CEO of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. “His enthusiasm, intellect and influence make him a real asset to organizations fortunate enough to have him involved, including Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. Jeff makes a difference.”
Scottsdale REALTORS® Gil Gillenwater was recognized in 2000 as one of the original Good Neighbor Award winners. Gillenwater founded the Rancho Feliz Chartiable Foundation after visiting Agua Prieta and has spent the past 32 years raising and investing over $10 million to build homes, education centers and orphanages. He is also the brother of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty CEO Todd Gillenwater.
The public is invited to weigh in on the 10 finalists at realtor.com/goodneighbor between September 2nd and October 2nd, as a $2,500 award will go to the top vote-getter and the second and third place winners will each earn $1,250. These ‘Web Choice Favorites’ along with the five judged winners will be announced on October 6th.
Realtor.com® is the primary sponsor of the Good Neighbor Awards program and also funds the Web Choice Favorite grants awarded as a result of the public vote.
For media inquiries or for more photos of these astounding homes, please contact Jennifer Park-Sturgeon or Mike Sunnucks at jparks-sturgeon@rosemoserallynpr.com / msunnucks@rosemoserallynpr.com or 480.495.3806 / 623.760.5543.
About Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty
Since 1947, Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty has gathered realty craftsmen dedicated to the ideals of integrity and professionalism. From the ownership, management, agents and affiliate services, every person involved in the company utilizes innovative skills, programs and technologies to create the finest real estate services company to be found.
The mission of Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty is to provide its clients with the most responsive personalized service attainable – nothing less will do. The environment within Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty is unique in the industry. Seasoned management innovatively supports the efforts of the Company’s members to create a dynamic and inspiring atmosphere that invigorates and hones the skills of everyone involved.
Collaboration and networking are fostered to create a synergy that puts the whole company to work for every client. The artistic blending of proven traditions and state-of-the-art innovation is unsurpassed. These assets are positioned on a base of financial stability and corporate staying power.
About the National Association of REALTORS®
Realtor.com® makes buying, selling and living in homes easier and more rewarding for everyone. Realtor.com® pioneered the world of digital real estate 20 years ago, and today through its website and mobile apps is a trusted source for the information, tools and professional expertise that help people move confidently through every step of their home journey. Using proprietary data science and machine learning technology, realtor.com® pairs buyers and sellers with local agents in their market, helping take the guesswork out of buying and selling a home. For professionals, realtor.com® is a trusted provider of consumer connections and branding solutions that help them succeed in today’s on-demand world. Realtor.com® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc. under a perpetual license from the National Association of REALTORS®. For more information, visit realtor.com®.
The National Association of REALTORS® is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.4 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.