Ninth Annual Chair-ity Event Hosted by the Ocala/Marion County Association of REALTORS
On a picture-perfect evening, 140 people attended the ninth annual Chair-ity Event hosted by the Ocala/Marion County Association of REALTORS. Artistic chairs created by the community were auctioned off, and over $31,000 was raised to benefit the Kimberly Center for Child Protection. A silent auction was also held. Local restaurants, Brick City Southern Kitchen and Infinite Ale Works, provided delicious barbecue food and craft beer to attendees. Platinum sponsors, Neighborhood Storage and Neighborhood Workspace, contributed to this highly successful event.
OMCAR’s Young Professionals Network was tasked to organize and orchestrate this charitable evening. Year after year, committee members work hard volunteering their time to plan this fun night. The Young Professionals Network provides young professionals with a forum to greater understand community and real estate issues, develop leadership skills, build a stronger link with the real estate industry and expand networking and business opportunities—all while promoting OMCAR in Ocala and all of Marion County.
The highlight of the evening was seeing and bidding on the whimsical and unique chair creations. The Young Professionals Network also donated two hammocks, a fire pit, matching chairs and other camping essentials. Terry Thompson, 2017 vice president of the Multiple Listing Service for OMCAR, refurbished a handmade bench taken from the Silver Springs glass bottom boats. Bidding was also competitive for Re/Max Premier Realty’s donation of a “Life is better at the beach” chair that included a beach tent, beach bicycle, cooler complete with Yeti cups, gift cards and a three-night stay at a condo on the beach.
Valerie Dailey, 2017 president of OMCAR says, “I am so proud and honored to be a part of an organization that gives back. I love seeing our community working together to protect, serve and advocate for abused and neglected children. It is crucial that we, as a community, strive to protect the most vulnerable among us by supporting organizations that help children at risk.”
Likewise, Bryce Peek, vice chair of the Young Professionals Network, says, “The Young Professionals Network was excited to partner with Kimberly’s Center to put on this year’s Chair-ity event. We appreciate all the hard work and preparation the committee put in to make the event a success. It is a fun night supporting a worthy cause that addresses a desperate need in our community. I would encourage anyone who is unaware of the type of support that Kimberly’s Center gives to at-risk children to take a tour of their facility and potentially donate to their operation.”
At Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection, it costs $150 for a forensic interview, $500 for a medical examination and $100 per therapy session. On average, the center spends about $1,000 per child. Kimberly’s Center cares for about 100 children per month and is governed by a volunteer board of directors. The center solely relies on grants and community donations to provide their specialized and compassionate care to its young victims.
