Giving Back. Better Than Receiving
At Lifestyle Real Estate Services, we believe our work can result in benefits even greater than the services we provide. We’re deeply passionate about helping our clients navigate their real estate transactions, but we’re equally passionate about helping people in other ways. Here are just a few ways that we do.
American Cancer Society
Marquis’ mom, Joanne, was also a strong and protective mother, and had a passion for cars, standing up for what’s right, and deeply believed in taking care of others. An adventurous soul, Joanne was born and raised in Bethesda, Maryland, but moved to Florida and California before deciding to settle down to start a family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and quickly became known throughout the community as someone who watched out for, and took care of, those in the area.
She believed that everyone deserved respect, and someone to watch over them. This has had a huge impact on the way Marquis approaches those he works with, as well as those in the areas in which he lives and works. In 2009, Joanne was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which spreads quickly and very rarely has a positive prognosis.
Both Roger and Marquis struggled greatly with the loss of their respective mothers. Living in a world that has grown accustomed to rapid technological advancements (what was impossible just a few years ago is possible today and obsolete tomorrow), but still, the cause and the cure for various types of cancer is something that still eludes us. In founding Lifestyle Real Estate Services, a commitment was made to make a difference. To that end, when you do business with our company, a portion of our commission from your real estate transaction will be donated towards the American Cancer Society, who actively works to find the cause of, and the cure for, cancer.
Habitat For Humanity
Looking back through history, a common theme emerges: the most prominent denotation of wealth has been land and property ownership. Landowners have always been the most wealthy among us; they provide jobs, housing, and space for commerce that drives forward the economy and, as a result, society. In the United States, our tax code strongly favors landowners. Income can be sheltered through interest expenses and depreciation, and the opportunity to own real estate is what many commonly call “The American Dream.”
Still, there is a lot of poverty related to real estate as well. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, on any given night, an average of nearly 650,000 people are homeless in the United States. In 2009, after the financial crisis and economic downturn resulted in the foreclosure of so many homes, that nightly number skyrocketed to almost 750,000 people. Of those homeless in 2009, almost 175,000 lived in California.
Through its commitment to supporting the efforts of Habitat for Humanity East Bay, Lifestyle Real Estate Services is working to provide housing for lower-income individuals. Habitat not only promotes an ownership experience in newly-built homes, but has begun working with government agencies to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed homes in blighted communities for the eventual sale to lower-income families at affordable rates. This is an initiative in which we believe passionately; when you work with us on your real estate transaction, a portion of the commissions generated will go to the East Bay Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
AIDS Project Los Angeles
A long time friend of Lifestyle Real Estate Services, Ronn Wallace of Spongeworks Design, started campaigning to help support HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy work in Los Angeles and beyond. To that end, he’s been fundraising every year since 2011, and participating in marathons and triathlons which, in turn, help the APLA give assistance to those living with HIV/AIDS by way of innovative programs and services to help those hardest hit by the epidemic. We couldn’t be more proud of our friend and all the hard work and training he puts forth in order to help those in need. For that reason, we are proud to support him and the Aids Project Los Angeles for all the great work they do.
Climate Ride
Climate Ride helps inspire and empower people to work toward a new energy future, using sport as a means to change lives and build an effective, citizen-based sustainability movement. Another friend of ours participated in The Climate Ride this year, and as a result, Marquis plans on taking part during this coming year’s ride. The organization helps raise money for projects and organizations that work on climate change, clean energy, active transportation, sustainable infrastructure, and public health, as well as increase awareness and understanding of the inter-connectedness of environmental issues caused by our current climate crisis.
San Francisco Bike Coalition
When our Marketing Manager, Marquis, moved to San Francisco, he fell in love with the bike-friendliness of the city and that he could bike everywhere within the city’s limits with no problem (well, his calves may have had a problem with some of the hills!). When Marquis discovered the San Francisco Bike Coalition, founded by individuals who not only shared in his passion for biking, but who are devoted to educating people on biking safely, who work to improve road conditions throughout San Francisco, and who campaign to bring dedicated biking paths connecting sections of the city, it was a no brainer. Marquis has proudly supported the SFBC for years, and will continue for years to come.
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