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Windermere Community Service Day 2025: 41 Years of Connection, Care, and Impact
Since 1984, Windermere offices have closed their doors for one special day each June to roll up their sleeves and give back. Community Service Day unites agents, staff, and franchise owners across our network in a shared mission: to support the places we live and work through hands-on projects that strengthen communities and bring people together.
This year marked Windermere’s 41st annual Community Service Day, and our teams came out in full force. From painting barns and tuning bikes to organizing diapers and digging garden beds, each office contributed something meaningful and close to their hearts.
Here’s a look at how a few of our offices showed up this Community Service Day.
Community Service Day 2025
California
Windermere Signature Properties, formerly Lyon Real Estate, got a jump start on Community Service Day this year, kicking things off in April and setting the tone for what was to come. It was their first year taking part in this cherished Windermere tradition, they embraced it wholeheartedly, bringing the energy, care, and community spirit to every project. From park cleanups and food banks to care packages and foster youth support, their impact spanned the entire Sacramento area.
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- Davis
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- Auburn
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- Fair Oaks
In Auburn, agents took to the Auburn Recreation District, where they painted benches, tended the rose garden, and brought new life to the local park. The Davis / Woodland office partnered with the local YOLO Diaper Bank to assemble and organize donations and presented a $5,000 Windermere Foundation check to support families facing diaper insecurity. Meanwhile, the Roseville / Granite Bay and Fair Oaks offices teamed up with All About Hope, helping put together “Hope Boxes” filled with art supplies and creativity tools for children facing trauma and hospitalization. And at Compassionate Planet in Rocklin, the West Roseville / Rocklin team helped transform the organization’s new barn workshop—a space designed to provide job training and life skills to aged-out foster youth and at-risk young adults.
Whether they were painting, packing, or planting, Windermere Signature Properties made a memorable debut, bringing our Community Service Day values to life through meaningful, hands-on work that reflects the true spirit of Windermere.
Oregon
Windermere offices across Oregon made a significant impact this year, taking on a wide variety of projects that reflect their deep roots in the communities they serve. In Salem, agents and staff from Windermere Pacific West Properties spent their second year in a row volunteering with Marion Polk Food Share at the organization’s Youth Farm. This year, they helped replant rows of peppers, eggplants, and other fresh produce that will later be harvested and distributed to local food pantries and partnering health clinics. Marion Polk Food Share plays a vital role in the region’s hunger relief efforts, supporting over 70 local partner agencies and distributing millions of meals each year. With the rising cost of groceries and ongoing challenges around food access, this kind of work remains essential in communities of every size.
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- Pacific West Properties
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- Heritage
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- Bend
Also in Salem, the team from Windermere Heritage spent their day caring for Minto-Brown Island Park, one of the city’s most treasured outdoor spaces. Their efforts focused on preserving the park’s natural beauty, removing invasive plants, clearing pathways, and maintaining the surrounding green space to ensure it remains a safe, accessible place for the community to gather, explore, and connect with nature.
In Bend, the Windermere Realty Trust team dedicated their Community Service Day to The Giving Plate, a local nonprofit committed to providing food assistance with dignity and compassion, because how people are treated matters just as much as the help they receive. After a tour of the nonprofit’s Community Store, volunteers got to work restocking shelves and preparing the space for open hours so that every guest would experience a welcoming, well-stocked, and thoughtfully presented environment.
Montana
In Montana, Windermere offices brought their A-game, showing just how powerful small-town care and collaboration can be. From Bozeman to Missoula to Hamilton, agents teamed up with local nonprofits to make a lasting difference for their neighbors.
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- Bozeman
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- Missoula
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- Hamilton
In Bozeman, agents, owners, and staff from the Windermere Great Divide office partnered with the HRDC and Gallatin Valley Food Bank to support the Story Mill Learning Garden, a public access garden designed to foster food security, sustainability, and education. They filled the day by tending to garden beds and replanting fresh produce that is open to all and serves as both a vital fresh food source and a hands-on learning environment for the community.
The Windermere Missoula team headed over to the YWCA of Missoula, a global nonprofit dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and advancing justice and dignity for all. With paintbrushes and tools in hand, they built a new storage shed and stained the surrounding fences—improvements that help create a more welcoming and functional environment for women and families seeking shelter and support services.
A bit farther south in Hamilton, participants from Windermere Hamilton showed up for the Haven House Food Bank, where they tackled a landscaping project at the request of the organization’s board. Originally planning to repaint the interior, the team quickly shifted gears to address the overgrown shrubbery, clearing and cleaning up the exterior to improve the property’s appearance and accessibility. They also helped relocate food donations that had been delivered to the wrong location, proving that a little flexibility and a lot of heart can go a long way for a nonprofit that relies on community support.
Utah
Utah
Heading East to Utah, Windermere offices carried the same spirit of service into a new setting, coming together to support a local initiative that blends education, agriculture, and community into one impactful mission. Windermere’s Utah offices united for a meaningful day of service at Roots Charter High School in West Valley City, a one-of-a-kind, farm-based school where students care for animals, grow food, and gain hands-on life skills through agricultural learning. Agents and staff spent the day weeding garden beds, feeding chickens, and painting the school’s interior. The day was made even more memorable by a visit from the West Valley City Mayor Karen Lang, who stopped by to thank volunteers and show her support. As Utah Foundation Director Amy Dobbs shared, “While our work in real estate can indeed change financial trajectories, Community Service Day is a profound reminder that our greatest investment is in people.” The work completed that day left a lasting impression, not just on the school, but on every volunteer who walked away, reminded of what it means to be rooted in community.
Idaho
Across Idaho, Windermere offices showed up in ways that were thoughtful, hands-on, and deeply connected to the local communities they serve. From outdoor spaces to food banks and free bike tune-ups, these powerhouse teams took on projects that reflect the everyday needs and outdoor lifestyle of their communities.
In Coeur d’Alene, agents spent the day at Canopy Village, a trauma-responsive safe haven for children and families who have experienced abuse, neglect, or crisis. The team humped into painting, weeding, planting flowers, and repairing bikes, bringing warmth and care to a space that plays a vital role in helping children and families feel safe, supported, and full of hope. After their hard work, volunteers were treated to lunch and a presentation from the Canopy Village staff about the organization’s mission and the growing impact of its programs.
Click here to watch Windermere Coeur d’Alene in action!
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- Lewiston
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- Sun Valley
Over south in Lewiston, the Windermere Lewiston / Divide Property Management office joined forces with the Idaho Food Bank to help provide nourishment to families across the region. Volunteers bagged oatmeal and oranges for distribution, working side by side in a fast-paced assembly line that made the hours fly by. With every bag sealed and sorted, they moved one step closer to helping local families put food on the table.
In Sun Valley, agents continued their annual Bike Tune Week, a much-anticipated partnership with the Black Tie Ski and Bike Shop. Together, they offered free bike maintenance for clients and community members alike. In a place where biking is practically a way of life, this tradition blends practically with generosity, making it easier for locals to ride safely, confidently, and stay connected to the community all season long.
Washington
Throughout Washington, Windermere agents and staff leaned into what matters most: showing up for their neighbors and investing time, energy, and care into the places they call home.
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- Whatcom
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- Mount Baker
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- Bellevue Commons
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- Lori Gill & Associates
Over in the north, Windermere Whatcom lent a hand at Lions Camp Horizon, a nonprofit offering a summer camp experience for teens and adults with developmental disabilities. During their time at the camp, volunteers power-washed, painted, landscaped, and tidied up the grounds to help ensure campers are welcomed into a secure, clean, and joyful environment where they can feel safe to step outside of their comfort zones.
In Seattle, the Mount Baker office partnered with Wellspring Family Services for a neighborhood cleanup, walking nearby streets to collect litter and debris. With homelessness being a cause close to the hearts of many Windermere agents, supporting an organization that works to end family homelessness through early intervention and prevention made Mount Baker’s project all the more meaningful.
On the Eastside, the Bellevue Commons office carried on one of Windermere’s longest-running Community Service Day traditions, volunteering for the 24th year at the Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center. From cleaning horse paddocks and prepping for upcoming events to painting and gardening, the team’s efforts supported a nonprofit that provides equine-assisted therapy for individuals with disabilities. It’s a partnership that is rooted in care, consistency, and a deep connection to the community.
And in Renton, the Lori Gill & Associates team spent the day serving at Vision House, an organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness for families in need. Supporting families and youth facing housing insecurity is a mission that deeply resonates with Windermere’s values, and the team’s impact was tangible, completing nearly three weeks’ worth of work in just one afternoon by gardening, spreading mulch, and making the outdoor spaces more welcoming and beautiful for the residents.
Read more about Windermere’s philanthropic efforts, past Community Service Day events, the Windermere Foundation, and more on our blog: Windermere Blog.
Windermere Offices Support Communities Through Donations & Volunteerism
Windermere Offices Donate to Local Organizations
The true essence of the Windermere Foundation’s work is to make enduring community connections . The relationship between Windermere Columbia River Gorge and SafeSpace Children’s Advocacy Center of the Gorge is a shining example of that mission. Last year, someone close to the Windermere Gorge family experienced an unfortunate and devastating situation. SafeSpace came in with open arms and resources to support all members of the family, and their care and dedication to the community struck a positive chord with Windermere Gorge owner Kim Salvesen. Feeling inspired to sing their praises, Salvesen hosted a podcast episode to help bring attention and donations to the business. She followed that up by making SafeSpace the beneficiary of her Windermere golf tournament in 2022. Sadly, Kim Salvesen passed away earlier this year. In her memory and her support of the organization, the Gorge office is donating $10,000 of Windermere Foundation funds to sponsor a room at SafeSpace’s new care facility. It will be named “The Kim Salvesen Room.”
The Windermere Coast offices in Oregon know that reading is the gateway to learning and opportunity for young children, a belief shared by local organization SMART Reading. For the past 13 years, they have supported SMART with their donations and volunteerism to help them continue to provide resources and education to local kids. This August, the offices were proud to present a $1,000 check to go toward their educational programs.
Pictured L to R: Deborah Marion, Pam Ackley, Melissa Eddy, Stacy Goodwin, Sharon Benson | Image Source: Pam Ackley
For years, the Windermere Spokane offices have hosted a socks and shoes drive for local low-income schoolchildren. Over time, the event has picked up steam and continued to grow. For the local Windermere staff, seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces when they get to pick out a brand-new pair of shoes is the best part. This year, the Spokane offices put $6,484.49 toward the drive, providing 148 kids with new socks and shoes to go into the school year. It’s fulfilling for the Windermere folks to know that these kids children will walk into their new classrooms proudly.
Pictured: Terry McKanna | Image Source: Emma Reeves
This summer, Windermere Utah continued their tradition of supporting the local Make-A-Wish Foundation. Their support goes back several years to the point where now, Make-A-Wish is an ingrained part of our Windermere community in Utah. Windermere agent Cathy Sneyd has been volunteering with Make-A-Wish for years and is passionate about helping children live the best lives possible. She started the relationship several years ago with the idea of granting the wishes of local children experiencing critical illnesses. This has become a staple of Windermere Utah’s giving. This year, they made a $5,000 donation, which is enough to fund one full wish for a child in the Make-A-Wish program.
Pictured L to R: Summer Ehrmann and Grady Kohler | Image Source: Alisa Scott
This year, Windermere Gig Harbor made a lasting connection with a local organization. The NW Furniture Bank’s mission to help restore hope, dignity, and stability in the community by recycling donated furniture makes people feel at home, a notion that the Windermere Gig Harbor folks understand well.
They transformed their office parking lot into a quick and easy one-way drive-through for friends, neighbors, and clients to donate. NW Furniture Bank parked their box trucks on-site and the Windermere team got to work unloading, loading, passing out donation receipts, and cheering visitors on. They also presented the NW Furniture Bank with a $2,000 check of Windermere Foundation funds. Jeremy Simler, Executive Director of NW Furniture Bank said that the event “far surpassed their expectations” and that they “would love to make it an annual event.”
A group of Windermere agents and staff from Gig Harbor, WA present a $2,000 check to NW Furniture Bank | Image Source: Claudia Gentzkow
Other notable contributions from throughout the network included a $5,000 donation from the Windermere Sun River office in Oregon to Neighborhood Impact, a housing assistance program based out of Bend dedicated to strengthening the Central Oregon community through homeownership opportunities, and the Camano Island office’s backpack drive that donated over $800 worth of backpacks to local schoolchildren in need.
Pictured L to R: Denise McDonald, Jerry Evans, Doug Nemo, Jill Vail, Dianna Pence | Image Source: Dianna Pence
The Salt Lake Parade of Homes brings awareness to homelessness in Utah by gathering community members from throughout the region. The Windermere Utah office was involved in this year’s parade, trading off shifts at the tiny home known as the HomeAid Collaboration Cottage. This project helped further HomeAid’s mission to build safe housing for the local homeless population by introducing visitors to their work. The cottage is one of 10 units in a planned village to provide affordable housing for those transitioning out of chronic homelessness.
Windermere Utah also recently gathered for an annual tradition: The Out of the Darkness Community Walk to Benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. This event is near and dear to the Windermere community, particularly agent Lisa Jungemann. Here’s what she had to say about this year’s effort:
“Windermere Real Estate Utah is proud to be a sponsor for the fourth year in a row. They have backed me and my team for several years. Our local chapter of the Windermere Foundation is focused on kid-related organizations in need of help, and we all know that suicide has wreaked havoc on our youth. We are very proud to be here and to step up our efforts by having our agents volunteer to help this year.”
The Utah office also donated $5,000, which will go toward bringing AFSP’s Interactive Screening Program to a college or university. The online program allows mental health services at institutions of higher education to provide a safe and confidential way for individuals to take screenings for mental health conditions and anonymously communicate with program counselors to receive support.
A group of staff from Windermere Utah at the Out of the Darkness Community Walk to Benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention | Image Source: Alisa Scott
To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit windermerefoundation.com. To help support programs in your community, click the button below.
Featured Image Source: Alisa Scott, Windermere Utah
Windermere Offices Give Back Throughout Final Months of 2022
Windermere offices throughout the Western U.S. stepped up for their neighbors in need during the final months of 2022, organizing fundraisers and clothing drives left and right. Windermere offices use the monies that they raise for the Windermere Foundation to help fund non-profit organizations that support low-income and homeless families in their communities.
The Windermere Foundation raised nearly $1 million in November and December to finish the company’s 50th anniversary year with an outpouring of giving. Here are a few examples of the great work done by Windermere offices across the network in late 2022.
Windermere Foundation: End of 2022
Windermere Walla Walla
Many people are in need of warm clothes during winter, and organizations like the Walla Walla YWCA help provide them with the resources they need. Windermere Walla Walla directed their donation efforts this winter to the local YWCA branch, giving $3,600 to help improve the lives of the women and children in their programs. They also collected coats and seasonal supplies to help ensure that these families have their basic needs met this winter. (Pictured above)
Windermere Trails End Real Estate
The folks at Windermere Trails End in Shady Cove, Oregon also jumped at the chance to support local schools by donating nearly $800 worth of winter clothing to Shady Cove Elementary and Middle School. The office used their Foundation funds to purchase leggings, sweatpants, and boxes of new athletic shoes to ensure that students in need would have proper winter gear and warm, supportive shoes.
Shoes donated by Windermere Trails End to the students at Shady Cove Elementary and Middle School – Image Credit: Amanda Richardson
Windermere Real Estate PSK and Lake Tapps
The holiday season is a time of giving, and the Windermere Real Estate PSK and Windermere Lake Tapps offices have been shining examples of that giving spirit for quite some time. 15 years ago, after having conversations with local school counselors about how homeless students were going without proper winter gear, they met with school administrators to see how the local Windermere offices could help. The owners, agents, and staff forged a relationship with the local Fred Meyer and their annual Christmas drive for underserved elementary students in the Sumner-Bonney Lake and Kent school districts was born.
After Windermere staff, agents, and owners gather donations from local businesses, the neighborhood Fred Meyer opens an hour early on a designated day so volunteers staffing the drive can shop freely, selecting supplies like coats, hats, and gloves for children in need. This year, the offices collected $14,800 in donations, serving roughly 500 students.
Ken Freed, agent at Windermere Real Estate PSK had this to say about the clothing drive:
“I think of this every Christmas morning. Over 500 kids have something to open on Christmas day. All the families, all the teaches and their spouses, all our agents can feel they did something worthwhile and appreciated. Handwritten thank-you notes from the students and heart felt hugs and handshakes from the teachers make it even better.”
Windermere Federal Way West Campus and South Sound
The Windermere network went above and beyond in 2022, and the Windermere Federal Way West Campus and Windermere Real Estate South Sound offices in Federal Way, WA embodied that extra effort this past holiday season. These offices made several significant donations to local organizations throughout November and December, making a positive impact in their community. Here are a few notable examples:
- Raised roughly $3,500 in donations to provide food and gifts to families in need at Lake Grove Elementary School. The donations supported 109 children and 40 families in total.
- Donated $2,500 to Federal Way Community Caregiving Network to provide rental assistance to a family at risk of homelessness.
- Because the Federal Way Senior Center is located in unincorporated county territory, the facility does not receive assistance from the neighboring towns it borders. The Federal Way offices donated $5,000 to the senior center for operating expenses to help it stay open and delivered food donations to its residents.
- Windermere South Sound donated $2,500 to Fusion Federal Way and Beautiful Soles, two local organizations dedicated to providing shelter and emergency services to children and families in need.
Food and gifts donated to the Lake Grove Elementary Students by West Campus and South Sound offices – Image Credit: Laurel Butler
To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit windermerefoundation.com. To help support programs in your community, click the donate button below.
Featured Image – Left to right: Jenalynn Mahoney, Dana Yarwood, Mindy Stonebraker, Esmeralda Guevara – Image Source: Victoria Harris
Windermere Foundation Gala Raises $1.6 Million
In what has already been a banner year for the Windermere Foundation, the inaugural Windermere Foundation Gala took things to new heights. Held on the evening of September 30 at the Sheraton Grand in downtown Seattle, Windermere agents, owners, and staff dressed to the nines for a night of live entertainment and fundraising for low-income and homeless families throughout the Western U.S.
With 2022 being Windermere’s 50th anniversary, the company set its sights on reaching $50 million in total donations for the Windermere Foundation by the end of the year. At the end of 2021, the grand total stood at $46 million raised since the Foundation began in 1989, leaving a roughly $4 million gap to reach the $50 million goal. Through the spring and summer, we saw an outpouring of support as Windermere offices around the network stepped up their fundraising and giving efforts. By the end of July, total year-to-date donations surged past $2 million, pushing the grand total to nearly $48 million.
The Windermere Foundation Gala
Then came the night of the Gala, during which the Windermere Foundation would receive the Excellence Award from the 5th Avenue Theatre. Windermere founder John Jacobi and family accepted the award on behalf of Windermere and expressed their commitment to continue their legacy of giving both personally and through the Windermere Foundation. But the Gala was more than a celebration; it was a massive fundraiser, with proceeds from ticket sales, table purchases, donations, and auction bids going back to communities throughout the Windermere footprint.
Image Source: Panravee Fernando – panraveephotography.com
As the Gala attendees entered the foyer of the Sheraton Grand Ballroom, they bid on silent auction packages displayed throughout the room. Up for auction were locally curated experiences and goods alike, including multiple-night stays at luxury resorts, tickets to a Broadway production, and more. Next was the live auction. Bids went up for 11 special packages, including a skiing adventure at an upscale resort in Park City, a guided fly-fishing excursion in Montana, and others. As part of an exclusive Pearl Jam auction package, their guitarist Mike McCready was in attendance, adding his signature on stage to an electric guitar signed by the band members.
Image Source: Panravee Fernando – panraveephotography.com
Finally, the Gala attendees participated in Raise the Paddle, where they contributed donations at different levels. Windermere founder John Jacobi kickstarted the giving with a $100,000 donation, and from there, auctioneer John Curley guided the audience through descending levels of support, calling out bidder number after bidder number in what was an outpouring of giving from the audience. The Windermere network more than doubled the $250,000 goal of Raise the Paddle, ultimately raising $520,250 in donations.
Image Source: Panravee Fernando – panraveephotography.com
In total, the Windermere Foundation Gala raised $1.6 million, catapulting Windermere towards its goal of reaching $50 million in total donations by the end of 2022.
To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit windermerefoundation.com. To help support programs in your community, click the donate button below.
Featured Image Source: Panravee Fernando – panraveephotography.com
Windermere Foundation Surpasses $1.5 Million Raised in 2022
After setting a goal to reach $50 million in total donations in honor of Windermere’s 50th anniversary, the Windermere Foundation is getting closer to reaching that goal thanks to the $1.5 million that has been raised so far this year. After ending last year with a grand total of over $46 million in donations, that leaves roughly $2.5 million to hit our goal by the end of 2022. Here are some recent examples of how our offices have been raising money and helping low-income and homeless families in their communities via the Windermere Foundation.
Windermere Wedgwood
The Windermere Wedgwood office was inspired to support Lutheran Community Services—a local response organization helping refugees to find stability in the Pacific Northwest—after learning that they needed help raising money to support incoming families of Afghan refugees. After discussing the situation with Windermere Foundation Representatives from the Northgate, Sand Point, Madison Park, Eastlake, and Ballard offices, they got to work spreading the news and gathering donations. Support poured in, and when a check for $15,125 was presented to LCS, there were tears of joy.
Windermere Coast Offices
For the past ten years, the Windermere Coast offices of Gearhart and Cannon Beach, Oregon have participated in the Autism Society of Oregon – Clatsop Chapter’s 5k race/fundraising event “Color the Coast for Autism” as a way to support families with children on the autism spectrum. This year not only did the offices participate and donate $1,000, but they placed well in the race, too! Agent Katy Walstra Smith came in first place for the 5k relay, with two other agents placing inside the top 20.
Pictured L to R: Dennis O’Reilly, Cynthia O’Reilly, Katy Walstra Smith, Pam Ackley, Tobi Rates, and Brandi Lindstrom – Image Source: Pam Ackley
Windermere West Campus
Observed in April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is an annual campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence. Windermere West Campus of Federal Way, Washington directed their recent Windermere Foundation efforts toward supporting the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center by donating $1,500 to support the center’s family service programs.
Windermere Bozeman-Downtown
The Windermere Bozeman-Downtown office continues to support and spread goodwill throughout the Bozeman community. In April, they hosted a Windermere Week of Giving for five local organizations that resulted in $1,000 donations to each.
Their donation to Thrive will go toward hiring mentors for two children for an entire school year. The funds allocated to Eagle Mount paid for some of the production costs for their largest annual fundraiser, which the Bozeman staff helped put on during Community Service Day 2022. Their donation to Haven will be used to provide resources to victims of domestic and/or sexual abuse. Family Promise plans to use the funds to support families experiencing homelessness in Gallatin County. And the donations to HRDC will go toward the establishment of a new facility to provide resources and solutions to people experiencing poverty in the area.
Pictured L to R: Aidan Young, Kelly Martin, Mike Stem, Andrew Flakker, Natalie McDonald – Image Source: Natalie McDonald
Pictured L to R: Kim Stevens, Erica Coyle, Kevin Schwartz, Bobby Goodman
Windermere Mercer Island
Every year, the Windermere Mercer Island office hosts a shredding event which draws crowds of clients and community members alike. This year, they hired a local shredding company to bring a truck to the office parking lot and invited the community to safely and securely shred their old documents while getting a chance to meet some of their fellow community members. The event also served as a platform to collect donations for and raise awareness about the Windermere Foundation’s 50 in 50 campaign.
Windermere Walla Walla
In May, Windermere Walla Walla held a cartoon-themed bowling night to raise money for the local YWCA, the Christian Aid Center, and Children’s Home Society. Agents, staff, and community members came dressed as cartoon characters of all kinds, which made for a colorful and lively scene at the local bowling alley. All in all, Walla Walla collected a whopping $10,000 to support the YWCA’s resources for local women in need, the Children’s Home Society’s child and family counseling, and the Christian Aid Center’s efforts to provide emergency shelter for the Walla Walla homeless population.
From left: Casey Waddell & Toby Swank
To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit windermerefoundation.com. To help support programs in your community, click the donate button below.
Windermere Foundation 2021 Year in Review
For the Windermere Foundation, 2021 was a year of milestones. Windermere owners, staff, and agents stepped up to support their communities in a variety of ways. Their collective efforts helped to raise over $2.5 million in 2021 for low-income and homeless families, bringing the Foundation’s grand total to over $46 million in donations since 1989.
Windermere Foundation 2021 Year in Review
Early 2021
The year got off to a quick start. Windermere offices showed an outpouring of support in their communities, raising nearly $500,000 by the end of March. The Windermere Lane County office in Eugene, Oregon was highly active, raising money for a host of local organizations dedicated to supporting local children who are in crisis due to neglect, abuse, poverty, or homelessness. The office also collected donations for Florence Food Share and Food for Lane County, two local non-profits working to solve hunger issues in the community. All in all, the Lane County office’s donations totaled over $10,000.
Community Service Day
In June, Windermere celebrated its 37th annual Community Service Day, a tradition since 1984 in which our agents, staff, and franchise owners spend the day volunteering in their communities to complete neighborhood improvement projects. The Windermere Pinole and Diablo Realty offices joined together to support the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano by working in their warehouse to help bag produce. The offices were able to gather $2,850 in donations, which empowered The Food Bank to deliver 5,700 meals to the local community. The Park City office also made an impact with a local food health organization, EATS Park City, by donating $5,000 to help EATS in their mission to promote nutrition advocacy in the area.
These are just a couple examples of the impact last year’s Community Service Day had throughout the Windermere footprint. By the end of June, the Foundation surpassed $1 million in donations for 2021.
Pictured: Scott Tuffnell, Denise Ramirez, Mike Rowland, Renee Rowland, Diane Cockrell, Mona Logasa, Dave Nardi, Ellen Osmundson, Jim Georgantes, Tina Rowland, Jacob Cardinale, Nicolars Ramirez, Luis Ramirez-Agudelo, George Gross, John Kula, Carol Nasser, Neil Zarchin (Food Drive Administrator – Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano) – Image Source: Windermere Rowland Realty – California
Late 2021
Windermere agents, staff, and owners continued to give back to their communities through the summer and fall, eventually passing $1.5 million raised in 2021 by September’s end. Here are a few highlights from the final months of the year.
UW Certificate Scholarship Program
The UW Certificate Scholarship program is part of Windermere’s commitment to better serve and support students of color, especially Black and Hispanic students, who have been impacted by systemic racial inequities. Since it was introduced in 2019, the scholarship program has given a total of $41,000 to scholars to date.
Gina, a 2021 scholar, was able to complete the UW Certificate in Data Visualization with her scholarship from Windermere. Originally from Colombia, Gina moved to the U.S. ten years ago. She eventually found work as a nanny but was laid off in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gina knew she needed to find a stable career to help support her family and wanted to put her data visualization skills to work. Gina was hired as an Attendance Specialist with her local school district. “Now, you may wonder how an Attendance Specialist can contribute if she has data visualization skills,” she said. “I was a little skeptical at first, but as I started learning more about data, I started connecting the dots. I started collecting data on the reason why the students were not making it to classes and tracking down the kids that needed extra attention.” Gina began making weekly analyses and data visualizations for her team and was soon helping the district connect with students they hadn’t been able to reach for six months. “I can’t thank you enough for this great opportunity,” she said of the UW Certificate Scholarship. “I have helped my community, grown as a professional, and feel empowered as a mom and as a brown woman.”
The Windermere Foundation plans to expand the UW Certificate Scholarship program in the future to help more Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) adult learners.
2021 UW Certificate Scholar Gina (top left) with her family. Image Source: Gina / Jo Gubas—University of Washington
Windermere Sand Point / Lake Oswego West / Fort Collins /
The following Windermere offices didn’t let up in their community efforts during the final weeks of 2021. Windermere Sand Point looked no further than their local elementary school, Sand Point Elementary, when deciding how they could make an impact during the holiday season. The Sand Point office donated $3,000 to the school, which will help to provide low-income students and their families with clothing, shoes, food assistance, and payment aid for after school activities.
The Windermere Lake Oswego West office makes it a point to support Transition Projects annually in any way they can. Transition Projects engages with the local homeless population to support them on their journey out of homelessness while delivering lifesaving and life-changing assistance. In early December, the Lake Oswego West office donated $3,500 to Transition Projects.
Windermere Fort Collins has close ties to ChildSafe Colorado, a local organization that provides therapy for victims of childhood abuse. One of their agents had a personal experience with ChildSafe and couldn’t thank them enough for all they did for their family. The office has rallied to support the organization, as they are unable to provide their services without donations. The Northern Colorado office hosted a tailgate party fundraiser, collecting donations from agents and the public. All in all, they were able to donate $4,000 to ChildSafe in November.
Pictured L to R: Suzanne Ekeler, Eric Thompson – Image Source: Natalie Parsons, Windermere Fort Collins
To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit windermerefoundation.com. To help support programs in your community, click the donate button below.
National Homeless Youth Awareness Month
The Windermere Foundation was founded in 1989 to support low-income and homeless families in the communities where Windermere has a presence. In honor of National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, we’ve compiled the following list of organizations that support and aid the young homeless population in our country.
Each year, an estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness in the United States, of which 700,000 are unaccompanied minors (ncsl.org). The most common causes of youth homelessness include a lack of affordable housing, economic hardship, substance abuse of a family member, parental neglect, objection to sexual orientation or gender identity and mental health disorders.
Unaccompanied homeless youth are at a higher risk of anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress, and suicide due to increased exposure to violence while living on their own. Learn more about the causes and consequences of youth homelessness online at ncsl.org (National Conference of State Legislators).
Here are some ways you can support homeless youth in your community:
- Advocate for the National Campaign for Youth Shelter, which seeks to provide all young people ages 24 and under with immediate access to safe shelter.
- Donate needed clothing, such as jeans or warm clothes.
- Help provide meals in your community. Find your local food pantry or meal provider.
- Support your local homeless shelter by donating time or money.
- Share critical resources such as relevant hotline numbers, state-specific handbooks for legal rights and options, and an overview of available federal programs.
- Donate to the Windermere Foundation, whose mission is to help homeless and low-income families in our communities.
Organizations who have been supported by the Windermere Foundation:
The Windermere Foundation supports, among others, the following organizations dedicated to helping homeless youth and families in their communities. To support these organizations, donate to the Windermere Foundation through your local Windermere office.
- New Avenues for Youth in Oregon provides services including education, job training, counseling, and supportive housing.
- Partners Mentoring Youth in Colorado empowers youth and community members to reach their full potential through mentoring, prevention, education, and strategic partnership.
- The Mockingbird Society in Washington is dedicated to transitioning youth into safe, supportive, and stable homes by transforming foster care.
- The Boys and Girls Clubs of America enables young people to reach their full potential by providing a safe space, caring adult mentors, and high-impact youth development programs.
- The YMCA is committed to helping communities learn, grow, and thrive while empowering youth.
To find out more about the Windermere Foundation or to make a donation, please visit, windermerefoundation.com. To donate, click the button below.
Windermere Foundation Approaches $1.5 Million Raised in 2021
Windermere offices across the Western U.S. have remained committed to serving their communities in 2021, collectively raising nearly $1.5 million so far this year alone, pushing the foundation’s grand total raised since 1989 to nearly $45 million. After a successful Community Service Day in June and a first half of the year which saw over $1 million raised, Windermere offices have continued to give back this summer. Here are some recent highlights from across our network.
Windermere Utah
Windermere Utah has always been deeply rooted in its community, and 2021 has been no different. This year alone, they have hosted multiple fundraisers and supported several organizations to affect positive change in their community.
One of the greatest challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has put on schoolchildren is access to technology. After searching for a way to provide digital access to local schoolchildren, Windermere Utah came across the organization Spy Hop, based in Salt Lake City. Spy Hop is a digital media arts center that provides classes in film, music, audio, and design for students between the ages of nine and nineteen. They offer mentoring and host technology drives to provide computers for students in need through a program called the Technology Liberation Project. Windermere Utah donated $3,000 to support Spy Hop’s programs while sponsoring their technology drive in August.
The office also rallied together to support Lincoln Elementary School. As a Title I school, they cannot ask for supplies or funds, often leaving them underfunded compared to other schools in the area. Windermere Utah donated $1,000 for kids to purchase the supplies they need for the school year.
From Left to Right: Misty Medina, Laurann Turner, Lincoln Elementary Rep, Shawnee Cooper, Lincoln Elementary Rep, Michelle Adkins, Chelle Preslar, Kelly Silvestor, and Stephanie Vera
Windermere Evergreen – Evergreen, CO
Windermere Evergreen has close ties to the local Rotary Wildfire Ready program and given the prevalence of wildfires across the Western U.S. in recent years, the office was inspired to tap their Foundation resources to support local wildfire relief efforts. John Putt–managing broker at Windermere Evergreen—is a member of the Rotary Wildfire Ready leadership council. A former paramedic and firefighter, he is passionate about providing resources and education to mountain communities regarding wildfire preparedness. After trying to come up with ways to support the program, they settled on a classic method of bringing the community together—a good old tailgate party. The office donated $1,000 to support the Rotary Wildfire Ready program, and the first annual Windermere Foundation Tailgate Party saw members of the community come together from all corners of town.
The Evergreen, Colorado Rotary Wildfire Ready firetruck.
Windermere Spokane – Spokane, WA
After hosting a blood drive earlier this year, Windermere Spokane has continued to find ways they can provide for those in need in their community. In early September, they turned their attention toward Spokane’s youth. When they saw the Spokane branch of Volunteers of America announce that they were planning to move their Crosswalk Youth Shelter across town to a new facility, the office jumped at the opportunity to help. Windermere Spokane held a matching fundraiser that ultimately raised over $21,000 for the new shelter. But the office’s recent foundation efforts didn’t stop there.
In preparation for the new school year, the office held their Spokane Sock and Shoe Event to support local low-income and homeless grade school-aged kids with new pairs of shoes and socks. This year’s event provided new shoes and socks for 116 kids.
Left to Right: Windermere agents Blythe Thimsen and Brenda McKinley
Windermere agent Brenda McKinley
Kritsonis Lindor Team — Windermere Bellevue South – Bellevue, WA
Windermere agents John Kritsonis and Karl Lindor of Kritsonis Lindor have been strong supporters of the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank in years past, but the continued challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that the IFCB needed their support more than ever. After food insecurity for children in their county jumped 54% in 2020, John and Karl knew they had to go all-in for their community. They doubled down on their fundraising campaign with a $25,000 match, ultimately raising $55,958. On August 20, their team spent the day volunteering at the food bank, putting together produce bags, and passing out groceries to families. All in all, they were able to provide groceries to over 120 families and over 350 kids. Their donations will support IFCB’s summer lunch program, which feeds roughly 300 children weekly during the summer.
To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit windermerefoundation.com. To help support programs in your community, click the donate button below.
Windermere Foundation Surpasses $44 Million Total Raised
Since 1989, the Windermere Foundation has supported low-income and homeless families throughout the Western U.S. Earlier this year, the Foundation proudly crossed the $44 million mark in total donations.
2021 has been an active year for giving back at Windermere. Our offices have continued to support their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, donating time and money to local organizations. In June, Windermere celebrated its 37th Annual Community Service Day, which saw agents and staff from across the Windermere footprint show up in force to partner with local organizations serving a variety of needs. When all was said and done, this year’s Community Service Day resulted in hundreds of hours of volunteer time and over $269,000 in donations.
Through the efforts of Windermere agents, owners, and staff, the Windermere Foundation raised over $1 million in the first half of 2021. This included the Windermere Lloyd Tower office which partnered with Adelante Mujeres, an organization that educates and uplifts the low-income Latina population in the Portland area. The Windermere Coeur d’Alene office worked with Second Harvest to set up a mobile market at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds to feed those in need, and the Windermere Spokane office partnered with Vitalant to set up a blood drive for local blood banks with depleted supply due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit windermerefoundation.com. To help support programs in your community, click the Donate button below.
Windermere Foundation Surpasses $1 Million Raised in 2021
In the first six months of 2021, Windermere offices collectively raised over one million dollars through the Windermere Foundation. June, a month in which Windermere celebrated its 37th Community Service Day, saw an outpouring of donations from across our 10-state footprint, bringing in over $269,000 to push the year-to-date total over $1 million. These dollars go toward supporting low-income and homeless families in the communities where Windermere offices are located. Here are some examples of how our offices have been giving back this year.
Windermere Realty Trust / Lloyd Tower – Portland, OR
Windermere Lloyd Tower can’t speak highly enough about the work of Adelante Mujeres, a local organization committed to educating and uplifting the low-income Latina population in the Portland area. The organization has a variety of programs to support women from childhood to adulthood. Their Adult Education program helps Latina women complete their secondary education and empowers them to become leaders. Empresas, a small business development program, focuses on immigrant entrepreneurs, providing one-on-one coaching and technical assistance over the course of eleven weeks. Chicas Youth Development supports over 600 girls between the ages of eight and eighteen in weekly after-school classes, designed to develop their leadership and foster academic success. In April, the Lloyd Tower office donated $5,000 to support programs like these and the small business development services Adelante Mujeres has provided local entrepreneurs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Windermere Lloyd Tower office is part of the Windermere Realty Trust network of offices in Portland, Oregon.
Windermere / Coeur d’Alene Realty, Inc. – Coeur d’Alene, ID
This past spring, Windermere Coeur d’Alene set out to make a difference in their community by helping fight food insecurity. They found the perfect partner in Second Harvest. Second Harvest brings community resources together to feed those in need and believes that nutritious food is the key ingredient for a healthy lifestyle. The office donated $2,000 to Second Harvest to set up their “Mobile Market,” a system for transporting food directly families, at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds in the heart of town. Windermere agents volunteered their time to staff the event, and the stage was set for a successful food drive. On the day of the drive, the donations poured in. Agents helped direct traffic, unloaded vehicles, distributed donations to families in the community, and cleaned up the fairgrounds afterward. Nearly 15,000 pounds of goods were donated, enough for Second Harvest to feed 209 families.
Pictured Left to Right: Amy Smock, Mark Whitt, Midge Smock, Larry Frisbie, Paulette Fabian, Kris Arnett, Andrew Steiner, Bob Zern, Joel Greiner, John Tindall, Morgan Keller, Ryan Keller
Pictured: Mark Whitt
Windermere Stanwood Camano – Stanwood, WA
Windermere Stanwood Camano and their local YMCA have formed a tight bond over the years, partnering together to create memorable events for the benefit of the community. Whether it was supporting the YMCA while teaching children water safety or rounding up donations on behalf of the Windermere Foundation, they’ve always found a way to make a positive impact in the Stanwood-Camano community. This past April, the office set a goal of raising $10,000 for the YMCA through donations made by staff and agents, which were matched by the office’s owners, Marla and Randy Heagle. The office hit their goal and in celebration, hosted a food truck from Seattle’s renowned burger joint, Dick’s Drive In. Attendees were encouraged to round up their purchases in support of the YMCA.
Pictured: Marla Heagle and Randy Heagle
An aerial shot of Windermere Stanwood Camano during the event.
Windermere Spokane – Spokane, WA
In April 2021, over a year after the first days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Windermere Spokane felt a call to rally their community to donate blood. The pandemic had left local blood banks depleted and in desperate need of donations. Working with Vitalant, an independent, nonprofit blood services provider in the Spokane area that focuses on providing life-saving blood and comprehensive transfusion medicine services, Windermere Spokane hosted a donation site at their office. Spokanites came out in force to support the blood drive! After all donations had been tallied, the blood drive yielded 34 units of blood.
Pictured: Richard Stokes
To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit windermerefoundation.com. To help support programs in your community, click the donate button below.
