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As leaders in their communities, Realtors® set a high bar for giving back. From stocking local food shelves to helping at-risk children, there are so many ways to give back and make a lasting difference for those in need. Here are a few ways to give back.

Donate Personal Protective Equipment

During the COVID-19 crisis, healthcare workers, food-service employees, and others on the frontlines of the pandemic desperately need personal protective equipment (PPE). The State of Minnesota website has a list of organizations that need more than 500 pieces of PPE.

List of Organizations

Help End Hunger in Minnesota

Volunteer or donate to a food shelf. If we all pitched in, no one in our state would ever go hungry again.

Volunteer or Donate

Realtor® Spotlight

Dave Lanpher

Dave Lanpher

Although the pandemic has locked down most activities in the state, Dave Lanpher hasn’t let that stop him from helping others. From dropping off cookies on a former client’s doorsteps to helping his church community congregate via recordings on Facebook and YouTube, Dave is determined to make a positive difference during this challenging time.

“Finding those ways to really touch a person’s life can keep us all connected," Dave said. "The realization that we are living a new normal and it affects all of us, pushes us to find new ways to come together.”

Jason Dowdey

Jason Dowdey

In a time when the headlines are filled with trouble and strife, Jason Dowdey is getting downright bearish on bad news. Partnering with his furry-costumed friend, Curt the Bear, Jason regularly spreads joy by walking, waving, and bringing smiles to children and elderly residents of the Willmar community.

Apani Chavez

Apani Chavez

As Minnesota’s economy faltered during the pandemic, Apani Chavez and her husband wanted to help their Coon Rapids tenants who suffered job losses. So, they lowered rents, waived late fees, sanitized necessities, and even delivered Easter baskets to these families in need.

Emily Silverness

Emily Silverness

When the pandemic struck, Realtor® and Special Ed teacher Emily Silverness ordered protective masks for her anxious students. The shipment never arrived. So, Emily broke out her sewing kit and made them cloth masks instead. Seeing a desperate need in her community, she set up a cottage industry and cranked out over 200 masks for area schools, hospitals, recovery centers, friends and co-workers. She plans to keep her needle and thread going as long as needed.

Amy Price

Amy Price

Amy has always had a soft spot for senior citizens, but in the time of COVID-19 that soft spot became a firm resolve to help older people in need. After the pandemic struck, she sent mailers to all the senior-living town homes in her area, offering to grocery shop, pick up prescriptions, and do other errands. She also delivers food to home-bound seniors via Meals on Wheels. No stranger to volunteering, in normal times Amy dedicates spare moments to local charity fundraisers; the Lunch Buddy mentoring program for school kids; and helping out at the public library, her church, and maintaining the flower garden at Kiwanis Park.

“People have busy lives but would be surprised how easy it is to do something for others for even just two hours a week. What a great world it would be if people did,” Amy said.

Dee Furo

Dee Furo

For the past 2 years, Dee Furo has been conducting egg hunts at a local park in Two Harbors, MN every Saturday before Easter. Instead of canceling this year's event, Dee created a sign-up for local families to submit their address and the number of children in their household. Rather than meeting at the park, Dee delivered egg baskets to each family’s yard. As a result of her generosity, over 50 local children are delighted by this annual event.

Deb Greene

Deb Greene

One small act can create a ripple and eventually a tidal wave of kindness. Having just given her last roll of toilet paper to her neighbors, Minnesota Realtor® Deb Greene got in touch with a store manager to help her find paper goods. The manager mentioned how stressed their staff was and that they didn’t even have time for lunch. Deb had a pizza in the car she just bought for her family’s dinner – and she gave it to the team at the store.

“The look on their faces was astounding! They said people are so stressed and some aren’t so nice… they couldn't believe I'd give them our dinner. The gratitude from them was so rewarding! We need to take the time to say thank you to the good people out there and lift others up through service,” said Deb.

Emily Green

Emily Green

Minnesota Realtor® Emily Green goes shopping for her elderly neighbors in her condo building, delivering food and toilet paper to those who need it. The entire building is staying connected through a Facebook page and neighbors fill out a communal spreadsheet on who needs what supplies. Neighbors ask for groceries and offer to take out recycling – looking out for each other to make sure no neighbor goes without something they need.