Pleasanton, CA – June 13, 2012 – The agents, managers and staff of Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate, in partnership with the World Transformation Center (WTC), hosted a Charity Poker Tournament on Friday, June 8 that raised over $75,000 for The Children’s Village of Sonoma County. The event, held at the Back Forty Texas BBQ and Saloon in Pleasant Hill, attracted over 230 people from the company, in addition to partners, sponsors and donors.
“Our offices and agents are totally committed to making a difference for The Children’s Village. We chose them because of the wonderful work they are doing with children in foster care,” said Kathy Ollerton, Director of Charities for Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate and founder of the WTC. “They are a unique organization that prepares foster children for a successful transition into adulthood and we will be able to make a difference with our donation.”
The Children’s Village, located in Sonoma County, establishes a stable, family like setting for children in foster care, minimizing the upheaval and disruption of multiple placements, and providing the opportunity for siblings from all over the Bay Area to grow up together.
According to Anjana Utarid, Executive Director of The Children’s Village, “The funds raised by Mason-McDuffie and the WTC will help us in our plans to expand the Village, with four additional homes where siblings can be raised together during their formative years.”
“We set the bar high, and are overjoyed to be making a donation that exceeded even our own expectations. It is a result of the commitment of these great real estate agents and employees, and the generosity of our sponsors and donors,” said Ollerton.
Funds were raised at the event through the generous donations of two premier sponsors: The John Jordan Foundation and New Era Training. A raffle was held, where the #1 prize was a free month’s mortgage payment provided by Land Home Financial Services. A Live Auction was also held, featuring vacation condos in Hawaii and Tahoe, a Chef’s Table and Limo for 8 provided by Pear Street Bistro and a Cocktail Party for 30 that was provided by Valley Catering. There was also a Silent Auction, in which each of Mason-McDuffie’s offices donated gifts.
About the Children’s Village
The Mission of Children’s Village is to provide nurturing, stable family homes in a multi-generational, enriched environment for children and their siblings in foster care. Opened in 2006, The Village currently consists of four large houses serving 24 children, and six apartments for seniors who act as surrogate grandparents (the Village is currently seeking two additional seniors for this opportunity). “Village Parents” staff the homes and care for the children. The Village is located on a 2.2 acre site in Santa Rosa. www.thechildrensvillage.com
About Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate
Our heritage began with the founding of Mason-McDuffie Real Estate in 1887. The company is the 19th largest residential brokerage company in the nation, providing comprehensive solutions to home buyers and sellers. The company handled 7,790 transactions in 2011, generating $2.94 billion in sales. The Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate Network is independently owned and operated and includes joint ventures with partners Highland Partners in Piedmont and Montclair, Wine Country Group Realtors in the North Bay, and Tri-Valley Realty in Pleasanton-Hopyard and Ruby Hill. The organization is comprised of more than 1,200 sales professionals in 29 offices. For more information, go to www.bhghome.com