Community Support - Windermere Real Estate Southern California | Windermere Real Estate Southern California

Posts Tagged ‘Community Support’

Windermere Agents and Clients Help Make Music for Thermal Students

Wednesday, May 1st, 2013

The students of Oasis Elementary School in Thermal have something to sing about, or rather with, thanks to the great work of Windermere Southern California agents Roger A. Sullivan and Camille Pfeifer.

Windermere’s La Quinta office has been involved with the Oasis Elementary School for several years. They have adopted three of the four 4th grade classes, plus the Special-Ed class. During planned visits each year, Windermere agents deliver much needed school work essentials at the start of each year; yuletide visits bring a soccer ball plus other gifts and goodies for each child, and a year-end visit in June augments the summer reading program. Each of these visits is overseen by La Quinta’s Managing Broker, Sandy Beakey, who shared, “Giving back to the community is what we do at Windermere. It is part of our philosophy – at the agent, office and brokerage level, including the great work of the Windermere Foundation.”

So when Camille Pfeifer recently emailed her fellow Windermere agents that her clients, Sam and Nancy Weiss, were willing to donate a beautiful Sohmer & Company Walnut baby grand piano, Roger Sullivan immediately jumped on the opportunity. Making numerous calls to local businesses, Roger’s end goal was to not only get the piano donated to the Oasis Elementary School in Thermal but to have it delivered in full glory – repaired, tuned and ready to play.

Roger successfully enlisted the help of On Time Moving Services of Cathedral City and Steve Salmacia of A 440 Piano Works in Palm Desert, who stepped up with a great response time and plan of action. Oasis Principal Dora Flores was incredibly pleased by the generous donation and the additional time and care that was put into helping restore the piano to its full glory. Dora shared that the school’s cheerleaders were already working on a routine to include the new piano and that’s just the beginning.

Windermere La Quinta Roger Sullivan Piano Thermal Donation

Roger Sullivan seated with Dora Flores, Principal of Oasis Elementary School in Thermal

“My fellow agents have been extremely generous with their time and money. For me, just seeing the smiles our visits bring and hearing the thanks from the students for what we are able to provide them is a thousand-fold return on our efforts. It’s inspired me to stretch a little,” shared Roger, who has been a constant in the outreach efforts for the Thermal school.

Roger hopes that the restoration and donation of the piano is just a beginning to helping Oasis Elementary augment their musical resources. If you have a musical instrument that you would like to donate to the school program, contact Roger by email or phone, and he will make sure it’s put to good use.

Roger can be reached at (760) 610-3245 or by email at Roger@RogerASullivan.com.

Tags: Coachella Valley, Community Support, La Quinta, Neighborhood Involvement, School Supplies, Schools and Education, Windermere Real Estate
Posted in Charity | No Comments »

Windermere Gives Back to Local Communities throughout February

Thursday, March 14th, 2013

The shortest month of the year has come and gone, but it was packed with Windermere’s involvement with local charities throughout Southern California. Donations from the Windermere Foundation, from Windermere Southern California & SoCal Offices, and individual Windermere agents totaled in excess of $8,000 to local charities in February alone.

Windermere Carlsbad Supports Friends of the Women’s Resource Center

February kicked off with the Have a Heart for a Child event benefiting the Friends of the Women’s Resource Center in Oceanside. Held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Carlsbad, the event raised thousands of dollars in support of the Center which provides shelter and transitional housing for women and children. Windermere was proud to be a sponsor for a second year. Katie Alfrey, Windermere agent, and Brent Consedine, Managing Broker for Windermere’s Carlbad and Solana Beach offices attended the event which included a silent auction.

Guest, Brent Consedine and Katie Alfrey attending the WCR benefit

Two speakers addressed the 150+ event attendees, which included City Council members of Oceanside and Carlsbad. Both speakers related their first-hand experiences of the benefits of the shelter and transitional housing. The monies raised will be used to provide educational and cultural opportunities, including field trips to the local Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, plays, school supplies, counseling and assistance revamping the playroom and playground at the shelter. If you are interested in showing your support to the Women’s Resource Center of Oceanside, click here.

Windermere Kick-Starts YMCA Campaign Again This Year

Managing Brokers Bryan Arnold (Palm Desert San Pablo), George Baca (Indio), Danail Jekov (Cathedral City) and Don Rossignol (Rancho Mirage) along with our Palm Desert and Indio agents were proud to represent Windermere at the Family YMCA of the Desert’s kick-off event for their 2013 Sustaining Campaign. The Windermere Foundation has granted money bi-annually to the Family YMCA of the Desert since their Windermere Kids at the Y program began in 2006.

Windermere’s Don Rossignol and YMCA Event Chair Carl Karcher of Carl’s Jr.

Don Rossignol presented Event Chair Carl Karcher of Carl’s Jr. with a check for $4,250 from the Windermere Foundation. Attending dignitaries included Olympic Gold Medalist (and SoCal native) Janet Evans, Palm Desert Mayor Jan Harnik and Palm Desert Councilman Van Tanner among many others. Event attendees were delighted by the entertaining skits and moved by the compelling stories shared by YMCA staff members, who were once beneficiaries of the Y’s incredible programs.

Windermere At Family YMCA of the Desert event

from left to right: Danail Jekov, Duane Graves, Don Rossignol, Elizabeth Robles, Josie Thomas, Carolina Diaz, Esperanza Mendoza, George Baca, Donelle DuFault, Donna Palivos and Bryan Arnold

Support the Family YMCA of the Desert! Get started by clicking here.

Windermere’s Palm Springs Agents Top Earners for Board Charities

Windermere's Palm Springs agents at Valentine's Board fundraiser

Nancy Steinfeldt and Ronnie Starr of Windermere’s Palm Spring Midtown office

Agents from Windermere’s Palm Springs offices were awarded the “Top Earner” award for raising the most money for the charities supported by the Palm Springs Regional Association of Realtors at their annual Valentine’s event. A committee of agents spearheaded by Ronnie Starr of Windermere’s Palm Springs Midtown office gathered auction baskets and baked goods for the event, contributing $1,800 of the $3,000 raised.

Windermere Chauffeurs the Home Tour

The Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert held their Annual 2013 Discovery Home Tour during February, and Windermere was there again this year to make it a smooth ride! For many years now, Windermere has donated the use of our commercial driver and the Windermere Bus, normally used for agent and office caravans, for the Museum’s tour of homes fundraiser. Windermere’s Greg Wootan graciously chauffeured event attendees to each stop on the tour and then returned attendees to the Museum in Rancho Mirage.

The tour of homes included the gorgeous home seen here, now listed by Windermere’s Roseanne Foxx. Located in Rancho Mirage’s exclusive Cypress Pointe is a contemporary gated community of 11 luxury homes and one available lot. Homes in Cypress Pointe are noted for their elevated view lots, impressive “boulderscapes” and oasis of waterfalls.

Home Tour Selection Now Windermere Listing

Click on Picture for Listing Details

Located in Rancho Mirage, the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert inspires and promotes intellectual curiosity and self-expression through inventive and interactive exhibits and programs. The Museum serves children of all ages with a particular emphasis on primary school children. If you are interested in visiting or supporting the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, click here.

Tags: Broker, Carlsbad, Coachella Valley, Community Support, Events, Indio, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Real Estate Agent, San Diego, Solana Beach, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
Posted in Agents, Charity, Events, Sponsorship, Staff, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Windermere’s Gina Garcia Recognized by La Mesa City Council

Tuesday, March 12th, 2013

When Windermere SoCal agent Gina Garcia heard that the City of La Mesa was planning to celebrate its Centennial, she knew her marketing expertise could be of great help. Gina walked across the street from Windermere’s La Mesa office and volunteered at City Hall. Soon she was a key member of the organization’s Marketing Committee and was doing business with a host of community leaders who were also contributing to the event’s planning.

Gina had one special idea. She asked a City Council member to approach the Metropolitan Transit System to donate a “trolley wrap” to mark the beginning of the Centennial year and soon one of the key kick-off events of the Centennial was born. On a sunny day in February 2012, many of the region’s leading citizens, including NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton, rode into La Mesa on an Orange Line trolley wrapped with La Mesa’s historical scenes.

“For the entire year, daily, people throughout La Mesa and the entire San Diego community saw a rolling billboard celebrating ‘The Jewel of the Hills’,” Gina said. “It worked out great for the city and all its sponsors, including Windermere Real Estate.’’

This February 2013, Garcia joined many of the corporate heads of La Mesa’s leading companies accepting a special medallion created to honor the Centennial volunteers.

“I see serving my real estate clients and my community as very similar jobs,’’ Gina said. “It is a lot easier to sell a home when the community in which it is located is a great one, like La Mesa.’’

Tags: Community Support, La Mesa, Real Estate Agent, San Diego, Windermere Real Estate
Posted in Agents, Awards | No Comments »

Windermere Offices Gather Together & Spread Holiday Cheer

Monday, December 31st, 2012

Windermere Real Estate Southern California and SoCal Coastal offices and agents celebrated the holiday season with individual office lunches where they helped spread the cheer by supporting local toy and food drives for organizations and families throughout the Coachella Valley, Orange County and San Diego County.

“We are so grateful to be closing another record-breaking year in real estate sales at Windermere,” said Bob Deville, co-owner of Windermere Real Estate Southern California. “As always, it is a priority at Windermere to give back to the communities that we serve through our Foundation grants and other company-sponsored events. We are fortunate to have the caliber of agents and staff at Windermere who continue to exceed our expectations by giving additionally of their money, time and resources.”

Coachella Valley

Palm Springs

Agents from Windermere’s Palm Springs offices jump-started the holiday early by submitting 9 huge baskets for the Palm Springs Association of Realtors’ Autumn Auction. The proceeds from benefitted the local charities supported by PSAR. Realtor® Ronnie Starr spearheaded the gift basket committee and Windermere agents’ entries raised over $2,600. Windermere’s Palm Springs South office also celebrated a little holiday cheer by giving their office staff a little extra holiday love!

Windermere Agents in Palm Spring South sharing some holiday cheer with their support staff.

Cathedral City

Managing Broker Danail Jekhov and Windermere agents from the Cathedral City office gathered together for some off-time fun with an old-fashioned potluck and White Elephant gift exchange. A fun time was had by all – even if Danail got his crock pot snatched away!

Agents and staff from Windermere’s Cathedral City office sharing in the holiday spirit.

More images available to view at http://goo.gl/8w6Eq

Rancho Mirage

Meanwhile at Rancho Mirage, Office Manager Laurie Huizar and her Santa Committee members - Toni Garmisa, Donna Malouf and Pat Richter - put together a tree, collected children’s gifts, whipped together a holiday dinner and purchased gift cards for their adopted family from a nearby school with donations and contributions from agents and staff. Santa’s Committee members met with the mother of the family and get everything transported to the family home before the kids got home from school. What a great way to start the holiday weekend!

(pictured from left to right) Donna Malouf, Pat Richter, Laurie Huizar and Toni Garmissa

Ready for on-time holiday delivery!

Palm Desert Portola

Windermere’s Palm Desert Portola office exchanged holiday wishes over a potluck while gathering children’s toys for the Toys for Tots campaign and canned goods for Martha’s Village. Managing Broker Sandi Richardson played hostess to all her wonderful agents and staff, directing the gift and donation deliveries while Debbie Sander and Sharon Vincent gathered up the toys.

Windermere Portola Palm Desert Office Holiday 2012

Happy holidays from the agents and staff at Windermere’s Palm Desert Portola Office.

Toys for Tots Windermere Portola Holiday 2012

Sharon Vincent and Debbie Sander from Windermere’s Portola Office

Palm Desert San Pablo

Alongside Windermere’s Palm Desert San Pablo office potluck, Windermere agents and staff participated in their 1^st Annual Holiday Cookie Exchange with the national non-profit Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. Managing Broker Bryan Arnold carved his way into the holiday meal while Donna wrangled the participating cookie exchange entries. The cookie exchange raised over $600 for the charity.

Windermere’s Bryan Arnold carves up the holiday feast.

Donna oversees the 1st Annual Cookie Exchange at Windermere’s San Pablo office.

More images of Windermere’s Palm Desert Portola and San Pablo office parties available here - http://goo.gl/dqIxq

Indian Wells Main & Indian Wells Luxury Homes and Estates

Managing Broker Charlie White hosted a holiday breakfast during their office meeting before the holiday weekend, catered by Windermere Realtor® Kerry Anderson and her It’s A Grind coffee house. Agents gathered to share in the spirit of the season and began working on their goals for the New Year. An always-entertaining crew from Windermere’s Creative Department joined in the fun!

Windermere's Indian Wells Main & Luxury Homes and Estates offices

Happy Holidays from the agents and staff at Windermere’s Indian Wells & Luxury Homes and Estates offices!

Emily joins in the holiday fun with Kristina, Crystal and Emmanuel from Windermere’s Creative Team. Director of Creative Services Craig Bernardi is ready for the holidays to begin!

La Quinta & Old Town La Quinta

Windermere’s La Quinta and Old Town La Quinta offices made their second journey of the year to the Oasis Elementary School in Thermal, visiting their adopted fourth grade classes. Thursday’s delivery of 91 giant gift bags included toys, household items and books for all students. The bags lined every possible hallway in Windermere’s La Quinta office, and Roger Sullivan wrangled the 7-vehicle, 16-agent caravan together to get the goodies delivered!

Gift bags for the students lined every hallway in Windermere’s La Quinta main office.

The final destination for this set of Santa’s helpers’ gifts.

Sorted, divided and ready to deliver!

Many more pictures of Windermere’s La Quinta offices holiday visit to Oasis Elementary available here: http://goo.gl/tcdOA

Indio

Windermere’s Indio office, spearheaded by Managing Broker George Baca, distributed 22 gift boxes throughout Indio and Coachella and collected over 500 gifts for the Toys for Tots campaign. Marines from the base in Twentynine Palms arrived on Thursday to collect the toys with a near empty van but left full to the top! After the Marines departed, more toys were delivered to the office, and agents shuttled them to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission.

Windermere’s Indio office’s collection for Toys for Tots.

See more of the pictures from Indio’s toy drive here: http://goo.gl/VUgqv

Orange County

Laguna Niguel

Agents and staff from Windermere’s Laguna Beach and Laguna Niguel offices gathered together on December 13^th to share in the spirit of the season with a holiday potluck. They invited their partners from Mortgage Capital and affiliated services to join them and were surprised by an early visit from Santa!

Dave Black, Pam Spadafore and Torey Severino

Santa drops by Windermere’s Laguna Niguel office for an early visit.

San Diego County

Carlsbad

Community-minded Windermere agents in Carlsbad and Solana Beach had an amazing Thanksgiving Food Drive for North County Community Services and Feeding America San Diego. They collected over a ton of food. Kudos to the Chris Gorno Team, Judy Goldberg, Elizabeth Kaser and Amanda Schlegel for spearheading the task!

Chris Gorno packing in all of her collected donations.

Elizabeth Kaser putting it all together.

Solana Beach

Windermere Carlsbad and Solana Beach agents and staff, in cooperation with North County Association of Realtors® and the California Association of Realtors’® Holiday CanTree Food Drive, collected an additional 5 carloads of food! Managing Broker Brent Consedine and Realtors® Judee Adams, Liz Nederlander Cohen, Lori Sykes, Valerie Macleay, Niko Esposito and Helen Angell coaxed the crowd of shoppers at the Vons in Solana Beach to give big for the cause.

Judee, Liz, Loir and Brent hand out bags for customers to fill and return with donated grocery items.

Valerie Macleay- Niko Esposito- Helen Angel FB

Valerie, Niko and Helen keep the momentum going!

La Mesa & La Mesa Village

Windermere Agent Phil Hessling organized the troops in our La Mesa and La Mesa Village office for a blitz of holiday spirit. Agents donated time, money and much effort to adopt a needy family in cooperation with the local Our Lady of Grace Church’s Angel Program. Family #98 with children aged 8, 10 & 12 received both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner as well as gifts for Christmas and gift cards for future household purchases. Agents gathered donations as well, while participating in La Mesa Village’s Christmas in the Village, where they held a drawing for a Nook® to raise money for the family.

Windermere’s Phil Hessling and Don Bauza kindly greet the folks at Christmas in La Mesa Village.

Christmas in the Village – La Mesa Village

Hillcrest Mission Hills

Windermere Agents and staff from our newest and fast-growing Hillcrest office gathered together at Managing Broker Kirk Gregor’s home for their first holiday celebration. Newly opened in mid-October, this dedicated team of real estate professionals is clearly forming tight bonds within the community and ready to ring in the New Year!

Jarrod and Kathleen enjoying a little eggnog.

Wishing you a safe and festive holiday season from Windermere’s Mission Hills Hillcrest office!

Tags: Bennion and Deville, Carlsbad, Cathedral City, Clubs and Organizations, Coachella Valley, Community Support, Hillcrest, Indian Wells, Indio, La Mesa, La Quinta, Laguna Niguel, Mission Hills, Neighborhood Involvement, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Palm Springs Central, Palm Springs South, Rancho Mirage, Real Estate, San Diego, Solana Beach, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
Posted in Agents, Charity, Office Fun, Staff, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

Windermere Agents Haul In A Ton For Local Food Banks

Tuesday, November 27th, 2012

Elizabeth Kaser, Windermere Real Estate agent in Carlsbad, gathered over 750 pounds of food for the North County Food Bank.

Agents from Windermere Real Estate SoCal’s Carlsbad office knocked on doors and distributed empty grocery bags to homes throughout Carlsbad and Oceanside in November. Their goal was to collect as many filled bags as possible to donate to the North County Food Bank and Feeding America San Diego in time for the holiday season. Windermere agents knocked on almost 1,100 doors and collected over 2,300 pounds of food.

“My neighborhood was extremely generous, and I had many people fill up bags in addition to the ones I had left,” said Elizabeth Kaser, Windermere agent who collected over 750 pounds of food from her work in the Spinnaker Hill neighborhood.

Elizabeth had steep competition from Team Gorno’s (a.k.a. Chris and Angelo) work in their Hanover Beach Colony. Agent Amanda Schlegel also hauled in a hefty portion from her work in the Summerwind and Mission Santa Fe neighborhoods. Judy Goldberg hauled in over 300 pounds of non-perishable groceries this year. Judy and Team Gorno were returning participants from last year’s drive.

“At Windermere, community service is something that we encourage at every level of the company. Besides the grants made from the Windermere Foundation and the work we do collectively on our Community Service Days, our agents, brokers and staff take on additional service-based projects that help support a host of area charities and residents. We are proud to recognize the work our agents do on behalf of the communities we serve,” shared Bob Deville, co-owner of Windermere Real Estate SoCal.

Tags: Bennion and Deville, Carlsbad, Community Support, Neighborhood Involvement, Oceanside, Real Estate Agent, San Diego, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate, Windermere Real Estate SoCal
Posted in Agents, Charity, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Windermere Keeps Seniors Cool

Monday, July 16th, 2012

In partnership with The Nightingale Society of the Visiting Nurse Association of the Inland Counties’ Fan Drive, Windermere Real Estate Southern California pitched in for the second year in a row to gather and distribute over 200 fans to one of the Valley’s populations most impacted by the summer heat.

“We know that we’re facing brutal heat right now. We’re hoping this makes an immediate impact in seniors’ lives,” said Charlie White, Managing Broker for Windermere’s Indian Wells office.

As outside temperatures reached close to 118 degrees, agents worked feverishly to distribute fans to the Coachella, Indio, Joslyn, La Quinta and Mizell Senior Centers. In addition to the fans, Windermere Real Estate also delivered a $1,000 check from the Windermere Foundation and over $200 in additional agent donations to Karen Mourhess, Development Manager for the VNA.

“Windermere’s support and contributions from last year were instrumental in allowing us to start up this year’s fan drive earlier,” Mourhess continued, “which was perfect since the heat started earlier this year as well.”

The Windermere Foundation provides grants to support assistance programs for low-income and homeless families in each community served by a Windermere office. A portion of every commission a Windermere agent earns goes to the Foundation. Windermere Southern California has gifted over $100,000 to Coachella Valley charities in the past two years alone.

If you would like to make a donation of support to the Fan Drive, contact the local VNA California office at (760) 773-6260 or visit them at www.vnacalifornia.org.

For the location of a Windermere office near you, visit us at www.windermeresocal.com.

Fans Stacking Up at the San Pablo Office!

Agents and Their Fans

Fans Delivered to the Mizell Center

Packing up the Fans in La Quinta

Is There Room for More?

Our Friendly Agents and Staff in the La Quinta Main Office

Windermere Presents $1,000 check to the Visiting Nurse Association

A Happy Fan Recipient at the Joslyn Center

Two Happy Fans

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Tags: Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Clubs and Organizations, Coachella Valley, Community Service Day, Community Support, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Palm Springs Central, Palm Springs South, Rancho Mirage, Real Estate, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
Posted in Agents, Charity, Press Release | No Comments »

Long May It Wave

Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

The City of La Mesa’s annual Flag Day Parade also commemorated La Mesa’s Centennial, and was enjoyed by all. Charlotte Reed, a Windermere agent in the La Mesa Office at 8131 Allison Avenue, describes the festive event in her own words:

“The City of La Mesa’s annual Flag Day Parade could have just as easily been called the Windermere Flag Day Parade! Seems we were everywhere. When I arrived at 7:45 am, Kirk Gregor, Director of Office Development, was leading the troops to magically transform our rented trailer into a flag-covered float. In addition to that impressive float featuring those happy smiling Windermere faces, our new La Mesa Village office (8295 La Mesa Boulevard) was busy with agents distributing helium balloons to the parade revelers. Topping it off, everyone sang Happy Birthday to La Mesa and under the big Windermere tent at the end of the parade, Windermere agents helped serve 500 hot dogs provided by the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce. Another great community event for La Mesa and the La Mesa Windermere offices.”

Windermere Float Adorned with Flags

Agents & Staff Celebrate Flag Day

Proud to Be An American

Kirk Gregor, Director of Office Development

Flags and Balloons

A Group of Patriotic Windermere Staff & Agents

The Back End of the Float

Happily Waving the American Flag

Great Support of La Mesa's Flag Parade

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Tags: Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Community Support, Events, Flag Day, La Mesa, La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, La Mesa Flag Day Parade, Neighborhood Involvement, Real Estate, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
Posted in Agents, Events | No Comments »

Windermere Agent Supports Charity Run

Monday, July 9th, 2012

Manny Lising, agent with Windermere’s Carlsbad office (300 Carlsbad Village Drive #217) celebrated his birthday in May by running with his team in the Green Flash 5K Charity Beer Run/Walk.

The Beer Run culminated at San Diego’s Green Flash Brewing Company, where Manny and other hot, exhausted and very satisfied participants basked in that warm glow which comes from working for a very worthy cause.

Proceeds from the event support the programming at Access Youth Academy, a non-profit 501(c)(3) serving San Diego’s underprivileged, first-generation youth (www.accessyouthacademy.org). The race, complete with jogging strollers, dogs, and teams wearing running outfits they’d designed themselves, was a great success, perhaps at least in part because the first 200 registered runners (over the age of 21) received beer taster vouchers. Says Manny: “We took 4th place for raising the most money as a team. I must say, it was the most enjoyable and gratifying thing to do on my birthday…to give back to those in need!”

Tags: Access Youth Academy, beer, Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Carlsbad, Clubs and Organizations, Community Support, Events, Green Flash 5K Charity Run, Neighborhood Involvement, non-profit, Real Estate, San Diego's Green Flash Brewing Company, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
Posted in Agents, Charity, Events | No Comments »

Windermere Fans for Life

Thursday, June 28th, 2012

Each year, Windermere agents throughout the Western United States celebrate Windermere’s Community Service Day by initiating and supporting local projects benefiting the communities where they live, work and play. For their 2012 Windermere Community Service Day event, Coachella Valley Windermere agents have again chosen to support the volunteer Nightingale Society of the Visiting Nurse Association of California. Now in its eighth year, the VNA ‘Fan Club’ partners with senior centers across the Coachella Valley to distribute fans and portable coolers to the desert’s ill, injured and hospice patients. For last July’s Windermere Community Service Day, Windermere agents contributed more than 250 fans to the Nightingale Society drive.

“We are delighted to again support the VNA with this worthy cause,” noted Charlie White, Managing Broker, Windermere Indian Wells offices. “The summer temperatures take a toll on everyone, but the heat imposes an extra burden on those who are recovering from an illness or otherwise not at 100% strength.” For “2012 Windermere Fans for Life,” each of Windermere’s 16 Coachella Valley offices is currently collecting new electric fans of all styles: table-top, oscillating, floor stand, window and box fans to help our desert’s in-need neighbors to stay cool and comfortable during the summer months. Tuesday, July 10, has been designated as the date for each office to deliver its collected fans. Members of the public who would like to contribute in support of this important cause are invited to drop off all styles and sizes of fans (in original packaging) to any of the Windermere Coachella Valley offices prior to Tuesday, July 10. Contributions of fans are tax-deductible and receipts are available.

Tags: Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Clubs and Organizations, Coachella Valley, Community Service Day, Community Support, contributions, Donation, Indian Wells, Neighborhood Involvement, Nightingale Society, Visiting Nurse Association of California, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
Posted in Charity | No Comments »

Cinco de Mayo Was Celebrated…and Windermere Agents Were There

Monday, May 21st, 2012

Nobody brings more energy and joy to a celebration than a group of Windermere agents, and Indio’s 2012 Cinco de Mayo party was no exception. On Saturday, May 5, a couple thousand happy revelers filled 5 city blocks, enjoying festivities that included a music stage featuring live Mariachi bands and colorful Spanish dancers, and a classic and ‘low rider’ car show showcasing great cars from across the Valley. We don’t need to mention (but we will) the unbelievably tasty food available everywhere. Of course, Windermere Real Estate agents were right in the middle of things, with their own Windermere booth staffed by nearly a dozen of Windermere Indio office’s finest!

And for extra credit, Cinco de Mayo is:

1. An 18th century term meaning ‘Hold the mayo.’

2. Old Latin for the practice of re-gifting birthday presents.

3. Not the Mexican equivalent of our 4th of July, as sometimes defined…it is the celebration commemorating the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Cinco de Mayo (or as it is called in Puebla, Mexico, ‘El Dia de la Batella de Puebla’) is more widely celebrated in the United States than in Mexico, where the true Mexican Independence Day is observed on September 16.

See? For history stuff, go to Wikipedia. For the ultimate Southern California real estate experience, Windermere is FANTASTICO!

Awesome Flickr Gallery Error - Photoset not found

Tags: Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Coachella Valley, Community Support, Events, Indio, Neighborhood Involvement, Real Estate, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
Posted in Agents, Events | No Comments »

Windermere Springs Into Community Events

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

Windermere Southern California Participates and Sponsors the La Quinta Easter Egg Hunt

Windermere Southern California Sponsored and Participated in the La Quinta Park Easter Egg Hunt

Windermere agents are known for supporting the communities where they work, live and play, and agents from Windermere La Quinta (47-250 Washington Avenue), Old Town La Quinta (78-065 Main Street Suite 100), and Indio (81703 Highway 111) offices can usually be found at the center of what’s happening. On Saturday, April 7, Windermere partnered for the ninth year with the city of La Quinta for the annual La Quinta Park Easter Egg Hunt. Kids in four age groups found 8000 eggs (in two minutes flat), and 75 children in several age groups competed for stuffed animal prizes in the Chalk Drawing contest. On hand to report and help judge the festivities from KMIR 6 were Gloria Rodriguez, Today Anchor, and George Severson, News Director. Windermere balloons were everywhere, and the Easter Bunny willingly posed for photos with an endless stream of happy kids. Also on Saturday, Windermere co-sponsored the Indio Desert Recreation District’s event (at Community Center Park on Clinton Street). Included were egg-hunting, face painting, potato sack races, a hula hoop contest, and raffles for sporting goods. Windermere agents handed out Windermere balloons and chocolate, with news coverage again provided by KMIR Channel 6 News. And rounding out a day chock-full of Springtime fun, Windermere also co-sponsored with Coachella Recreation District the holiday event at Bagdouma Park, where more than 300 kids in 3 age groups hunted for brightly colored eggs, had their faces painted, and cavorted in the bouncing ball races. A special thanks to Windermere Indio agent Carmen Aceves, who hopped happily into her role as assistant Easter Bunny.

Tags: Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Clubs and Organizations, Coachella Valley, Community Support, Easter, Easter Bunny, Egg Hunt, Events, Indio, La Quinta, Neighborhood Involvement, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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Windermere Steps Up for the YMCA

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

Left to Right: From Windermere’s Indio office: Elizabeth Robles, George Baca (Managing Broker), Carolina Diaz, Josie Thomas. From Windermere’s Indian Wells offices: Charlie White (Managing Broker). From Windermere’s Rancho Mirage office: Don Rossignol. From Palm Desert Portola office: Sandy Richardson (Managing Broker). Craig Bernardi, Creative Director, Windermere Southern California.

Windermere believes strongly in helping build and support strong communities. It’s a huge part of the Windermere culture, and it is evident in both formal corporate support and in the efforts of individual agents, who contribute their time and money to countless personal causes and services.

One of these important community services long supported by Windermere and its agents: The YMCA. Recognizing the important work the Y does throughout the year for our communities across Southern California, the Windermere Foundation has once again contributed $5000 to this venerable institution. “We really appreciate the opportunity to support the YMCA here,” notes Bob Deville, co-owner, Windermere Southern California. The services and support they provide for the kids, and for entire families, and we take a lot of pride in being a part of it.”

To learn more about Windermere, visit www.WindermereSoCal.com.

Tags: Clubs and Organizations, Coachella Valley, Community Support, Neighborhood Involvement, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate, YMCA
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Indian Wells Agents Bring a Little Love to the Game

Friday, March 16th, 2012

Come say "Hi" to Kerry, Sybill, Sherry, & Colleen of Windermere Real Estate at the BNP Paribas Tennis Tournament

Question: Why are Winderemere Indian Wells agents Kerry Anderson, Sybill Allen, Sherry Owens, and Colleen Pappas all wearing fluorescent green uniforms? To honor St Patrick’s Day? Good guess, but no shillelagh…when they’re not helping their clients buy and sell incredible Coachella Valley homes, they’re volunteering at the BNP Paribas Open. The what? The BNP Paribas Open!

Folks identify the Coachella Valley with a lot of wonderful things…perfect weather (always)…great dining, fabulous shopping, golf, and TENNIS. The 37th BNP Paribas Open, the granddaddy of tennis tournaments, is held right here at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The 37th BNP Paribas Open is the largest combined professional tennis tournament in the world. With play daily from March 11 through March 20, there are over 300 professional players with $9M in prize money (split equally between male and female pros). There’s plenty of room for everyone, too…Indian Wells Tennis Garden’s Stadium One is the second largest court in the world, with 16,100 seats. And right in the center of it all: volunteers Sybill Allen, Sherry Owens, Colleen Pappas, and Kerry Anderson (who has been volunteering with the tournament for 10 years). The professional tournament volunteer committees include ball kid coordinators, credentials, gates, information, lost & found, special events, transportation, ushers, and more. Aside from their love of the sport, the volunteers all appreciate that the tournament contributes to The Champions Volunteer Foundation which benefits youth recreational, educational and well-care programs including Foundation for the Retarded, Martha’s Kitchen, Palm Springs Stroke Activity Center, Boys & Girls Club, Shelter From the Storm, Gilda’s Club, Palm Desert Family YMCA, and the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission.

Oh, and for an extra point…who knows what the tournament is named after? Give up? BNP Paribas, headquartered in Paris, is the world’s biggest bank.

See? Windermere has all the right answers.

Tags: BNP Paribas, Clubs and Organizations, Coachella Valley, Community Support, Events, Indian Wells, Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Real Estate, tennis, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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Judy Genton Walks for Alzheimer’s

Thursday, March 1st, 2012

Many people are unaware of the difficulties of helping a loved one deal with Alzheimer’s disease, an illness sometimes nicknamed ‘the long goodbye’ because as the condition slowly advances it steals the memories of its victims, who for years can remain in good physical health.

Judy Genton of Windermere Real Estate Southern California

Judy Genton, an agent with Windermere’s Indian Wells Main office, knows the challenges faced by family members and caregivers of those suffering from Alzheimer’s. In 2011, she became a caregiver for the second time in 3 years. With the same dedication and drive she shows to her buying and selling real estate clients, she is working to support the fight against this condition. Judy recognizes and supports the work of the Five Star Club, an Eisenhower-sponsored day care center for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and a support center for caregivers. “If you’ve had or have someone close to you affected by this disease, you know how hard it is to see a family go through it,” says Judy. “The Five Star Club provides invaluable support and assistance to these families.”

On Saturday, March 3, as part of her dedicated effort to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s, Judy is participating with the Five Star Club Team in the Alzheimer’s Association 2012 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. She encourages those who would like to support this important work to join the Walk and/or donate. “The pressures brought on by this disease are difficult to comprehend. The support and relief provided by organizations such as the Five Star Club can be unbelievably instrumental in helping family members and other caregivers get through,” says Judy.

Tax-deductible contributions to the Five Star Club Team will go directly to the Alzheimer’s Association. Details about the March 3 walk in Palm Desert, as well as information on how to donate, can be found by clicking HERE.

If you’d like to talk with Judy about your real estate needs, she can be reached at 760-773-3958.

Tags: alzheimer's, Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Clubs and Organizations, Coachella Valley, Community Support, Eisenhower Medical Center, Events, Five Star Club, Indian Wells, Neighborhood Involvement, Real Estate, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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Windermere + Palm Springs = Great Box Office

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Each year, Coachella Valley dons its finest evening wear and pays homage to its Hollywood roots by welcoming filmdom’s finest directors, producers and actors to the annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. Held over a ten-day period (this year January 5-16) and now in its 23rd year, the Festival is recognized as a major player in the world of cinema, offering a sophisticated, high profile venue for hundreds of films, many from first time independent artists and studios. Windermere recognizes the many benefits of being host to an event as important and prestigious as the Festival, and for 2012 continues its sponsorship at the Platinum level. “There are a multitude of reasons so many have chosen to make their first and second homes here in the Coachella Valley,” says Bob Deville, co-owner, Windermere Southern California. “One of the greatest of these is our incredible diversity of lifestyles, social and recreational opportunities. The Palm Springs International Film Festival spotlights an important facet of our appeal: a broad range of entertainment options and personal interests. When the Festival and other grand events bring visitors to Palm Springs and its neighboring communities, they fall in love with this place. They have done so for decades, and with all we have to offer, that’s not going to change.” Among the many characteristics continuing to draw people to the Valley, Deville credits a strong real estate market which includes affordable prices in every range, an exceptional inventory of properties from weekend condo to million dollar estates, and savvy buyers and sellers who more than ever recognize the desert’s great opportunities. “It’s a wonderful place to live, to work, and play,” says Deville. “There’s a strong sense of community which ties us all together here.” Windermere and its agents are noted for support of important local services; individual agents devote time, effort and money to a multitude of causes important to them, and entire offices join together throughout the year for various causes. “Windermere appreciates the opportunity to support the Palm Springs International Film Festival each year, in part, because we advance many of the same causes, including one of the most vital: educational and enrichment programs tailored for the Coachella Valley.” Proceeds from the PSIFF help to fund scholarships to low income students.