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The Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation this week presented West Valley College President Bradley Davis with a check for $10,000 to provide assistance to U.S. veterans through the SILVAR Veterans Scholarship Fund.
The Foundation is the charitable arm of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR), a professional trade organization representing over 4,500 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The SILVAR Veterans Scholarship Fund is designed to support eligible U.S. veterans residing in SILVAR’s traditional service area who wish to further their education. Funds for the scholarship fund were raised at SILVAR’s 2015 “REALTORS® Honor Veterans” event from donations made by members and friends of SILVAR, including a generous grant from the Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® President Karen Trolan thanked members for their generosity. She said money veterans receive from the GI Bill is not enough to afford a college education. She noted she was impressed with the help West Valley College extends to veterans.
Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation President Eileen Giorgi also thanked members for their support of last year’s event and their contributions to the Charitable Foundation. “The SILVAR Veterans Scholarship Fund is our way of supporting our veterans, to thank them for their brave and invaluable service to our country, and to help them be successful,” said Giorgi.
Davis expressed his gratitude on behalf of West Valley College. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your donation will help our veterans tremendously,” said David. He said the grant will go a long way to assisting veterans with tuition, books and supplies for their studies.
At the August Palo Alto District tour meeting, the Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation, the charitable arm of the Silicon valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) presented Palo Alto University with a check for $10,000 to provide assistance to U.S. veterans through the SILVAR Veterans Scholarship Fund.
The SILVAR Veterans Scholarship Fund is designed to support eligible U.S. veterans residing in SILVAR’s traditional service area who wish to further their education. Funds for the scholarship fund were raised at SILVAR’s 2015 “REALTORS® Honor Veterans” event from donations made by members and friends of SILVAR, including a generous grant from the Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation President Eileen Giorgi thanked members for their generosity and Palo Alto University for assisting the country’s veterans. “Thank you for your commitment to help our veterans achieve their goals. The SILVAR Veterans Scholarship Fund is our way of supporting our veterans, to thank them for their brave and invaluable service to our country, and to help them be successful,” said Giorgi.
Representing Palo Alto University at the presentation were Dr. Maureen O’Connor, president of Palo Alto University; Elizabeth Shaughnessy, director of Advancement; Derrick Felton, Board of Trustees and counselor, Veteran Affairs; Teresa Lee, executive assistant to the Provost & Director, Military/Veteran Student Services; and Jo Harvey, Advancement associate.
No matter where you are or who you are with, always trust your senses because your subconscious is almost always right. This was the first important safety tip that Santa Clara County Deputy Sheriff Chad Garton shared with SILVAR members at Wednesday’s Los Gatos/Saratoga District tour meeting.
Garton, who is a U.S. veteran who served in Iraq, said trusting your instinct is also what soldiers do in combat. If you feel uneasy about a person you are with or a situation you are in, trust your gut feeling and leave that person or remove yourself from the situation.
“Your subconscious is constantly taking in information; do not ignore that,” said Garton.
Garton said REALTORS® are especially at risk because they meet strangers all the time. He shared what he termed a 5-point Contingency Plan, which those in the military also use: Let people know:
1. WHERE you are going.
2. WHO you will be meeting.
3. WHEN you will be back.
4. What to do if you don’t return.
5. The ACTION to take if they cannot contact you.
Here are other safety tips Garton shared with members:
• It may be part of your job to show your professionalism and success in the way you dress, but be aware that people are watching you and looking for ways to steal valuables.
- Don’t leave valuables in plain sight in your car. It only takes 17 seconds for someone to break into a car.
- Always meet a new person in a public place and get their ID.
- Show strength in whatever you do. When you’re walking, look around; don’t look down. Always make eye contact. Speak in a loud voice because this gives the appearance of strength.
- Do not carry a firearm. If you have to carry a weapon, make sure you are fully trained to use it. Pepper spray and Mace are good, but you still need to train yourself to use these self-defense devices.
- An alarm system can act as a deterrent and video cameras inside and outside the home are even better deterrents because they can identify the robbers.
- Lock all doors and windows even if you are home. If the weather is warm, spend the extra money and turn on the air conditioner, instead of leaving windows open.
- Refrain from announcing open houses and where you will be on social media.
- Do not to hesitate to call 9-1-1 if they see something suspicious, or feel you are in danger.
Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® says ... 