BLUFFTON, S.C. – (Jan. 2, 2008) – Two low-income families in the Lowcountry enjoyed a brighter Christmas this year thanks to the real estate professionals in the Bluffton, S.C., office of Cora Bett Thomas Realty & Associates who recently purchased, wrapped and delivered bags of gifts to the families.The gesture is especially meaningful because one family lost virtually everything in a recent house fire. Any real Christmas joy for them appeared to be out of reach – until recently.“Our professional sales associates and staff demonstrated their caring nature with these selfless acts of kindness,” said Cora Bett Thomas, founder and CEO of the firm that bears her name. “Christmas is about families and sharing. And now, thanks to the generosity of our staff in Bluffton, these families can enjoy a real Christmas together.”Darle Booher, the broker-in-charge at the firm’s Bluffton office, and her husband, Robert, an associate broker, adopted a low-income family through the Church of the Cross in Bluffton, which they attend. The Boohers provided gifts and household items for the local family.Real estate agents and staff members in the Bluffton office also contributed to a fund to adopt a local family and provide them with toys, clothing and necessary household items. Working with the Church of the Cross, the office staff identified a single mother and her three children who needed extra help during the holiday season.Beverly Serral, a top producer and accredited luxury home specialist in the Bluffton office, obtained information about the second family and secured a wish list from each member of the household. Then, funded by its own donations, the staff purchased an MP3 player, a stocking stuffed with toys and a pair of shoes for each child. Their mother received household items and gift cards to Wal-Mart and Publix. Finally, everyone will be treated to a special holiday dinner.“We wrapped the presents during a working lunch yesterday,” said Carrie Lee, an assistant to Cora Bett Thomas who works in the company’s Bluffton office. “Then, three members of our staff went to the mother’s job in Hardeeville. Their house just burned down and they have nothing. So we went where she works and delivered all the presents. She was truly overcome with joy.”ABOUT CORA BETT THOMAS REALTY & ASSOCIATESWith listings for the area’s finest residential and commercial properties, Cora Bett Thomas Realty & Associates is an exclusive affiliate of Christie’s Great Estates and a longtime member of Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate, The Board of Regents, Leading Estates of the World, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (formerly RELO) and Luxury Portfolio. The firm dominates the luxury real estate market along the Georgia and South Carolina coasts, with offices based in Savannah, Ga., and Bluffton, S.C. Under the leadership of founder and CEO Cora Bett Thomas, the company’s expert team of agents specializes in historic homes, luxury condominiums, commercial real estate, investment property, land and waterfront property. Savannah Magazine and Connect Savannah readers recently voted Cora Bett Thomas Realty & Associates the “Best Real Estate Company.” For additional information, please visit www.CoraBettThomas.com online or call 912.233.6000 for the Savannah office or 843.757.6002 for the Bluffton/Hilton Head office.