Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate agents sell a lot of houses every year on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. “We have been fortunate in these challenging times”, says sales associate Tracy Stone “My colleagues and I feel the need to give back to the community that has been so good to us.”
Tracy Stone. Edey Cross, Gwen Eskridge, and Sharon Rieck
On Wednesday, September 24th turned out at 233 Port Street in Easton to volunteer a day of labor with Habitat For Humanity Choptank – a local affiliate of Habitat For Humanity International – the ecumenical homebuilding ministry which has built 64 houses in Talbot and Dorchester Counties since its founding in 1992. Hugh Smith, the Broker and an Owner of Coldwell Banker Chesapeake, is also the Founding and First President of Habitat for Humanity Choptank.
Building a Habitat House and Community years to come and know we helped to make a big difference in two family’s lives”.
“We believe that everyone deserves a decent house in which to live”, says Smith, “This program appeals to our sense of fair play”, says Smith
“Home ownership, sweat equity and community participation appeals to our business instincts”.
The build was organized by sales associate Peggy Neviaser, also a long-term volunteer of Habitat locally. “I have served on the Partner Family committee for years” said Peggy, “it’s fun to get outside and swing a hammer for a change.”
The “build” was led and supervised by Habitat for Humanity Choptank Construction Supervisor Steve Thomas
The real estate industry was well represented on the build site. Coldwell Banker Chesapeake agent and current Mid-Shore Board of Realtors President Gwen Eskridge helped her colleagues from the Easton Office to disassemble a scaffolding on the second floor of the house then re-assemble it on the ground outside to prepare for roofing the duplex. Easton associates participating also included Carol Harrison, Sharon Rieck, Chata Smith,Juliet Wells, Heather Hardisty and Laurie Renshaw to frame and erect interior walls.
No one was ready to quit at the end of the day. “We want to do it again” was the common sentiment. To help pay for all the nails they bent, Coldwell Banker Chesapeake announced a matching gifts program to its sales associates and employees. “The company” says Smith, “will match our associates donations
“It is hardly glamorous work”, said Eskridge, “but it sure is rewarding. We will drive past this site for to Habitat for Humanity dollar for dollar through the end of the year.”
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