Community Service
Our effort to improve local community living.
FAAR Community Service Committee’s Charity Share-a-thon
Show the love and help bring awareness to your favorite charity for free!
Nominate a charity for recognition, then explore the various charities REALTORS® and Affiliate members support here!
View the submitted charities below!
MANARC Borne the Battle
Deborah Franks
Ruyts Foundation of Veteran Suicide Prevention
Marcus Toler
Feed the Gap
Denise Smith
Mental Health America of Fredericksburg
Laurie Black
Hub of Hope and Central Virginia Housing Coalition
Matthew Rathbun
For This Child Foundation
Deanna Joy Beltran
Mary’s Shelter
Johanna Merino
Fairy Godmother Project
Stephanie Lyles
Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank
Amariah Alphonso
Micah Ministries and Empowerhouse
Cara Harris
Greater Fredericksburg Habitat for Humanity
Sherrie Shaw
#MemberMonday Meet REALTOR® Adarsh Parbadia
Name
Adarsh Parbadia
Hometown
Stafford
Current Location
Fredericksburg
Title
Realtor®, Christmarr Properties
Number of Years in the Industry
2
Why do you love working in real estate?
My family has been in real estate my entire life. My father and uncle run a construction company so I have had a chance to see the entire real estate process from development, building, to closing. To me it is incredible to see how many moving parts there are and all the individuals involved. We all make a living just on a portion of the timeline. From builder, to contractors, to lenders, to settlement companies, and so many more. But what I love the most (from being on the residential side) is you get to be a part of the purchasing journey for your clients. They have worked years to get to this point and you get the chance to make it happen for them.
Favorite Work Story
My favorite story happened this year. I joined the Young Professionals Network this year and got to meet some incredible people from REALTORS® to the team at the Association. Myself being the listing agent I got to work with the current chair of YPN who represented the buyers. It was the first time I worked across the table with an agent I knew. Needless to say, the transaction went very smoothly and both parties are very happy.
What are you most proud of in your career?
It was probably my first transaction which was a rental property. It was also my first listing and was in North Stafford. I probably called my broker every day to make sure I was doing and saying the right thing. But that transaction gave me the confidence on the next ones. And that even if you jumping into a new industry, product type, or area there is always a way to figure it out.
Fun Fact
Went to my first Washington Nationals game earlier this year.
FAAR hosts annual cereal drive
FAAR members were definitely up for the challenge and then some!!! Thank you to everyone who participated and helped us not only reach our goal, but blow it out of the water!!! FAAR members collected a nearly unbelievable 31,032 boxes of cereal! Check out the official press release below for all the details.
The Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® (FAAR) hosted its annual Cereal Drive to benefit the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank and other food pantries throughout the area. This year proved to be another record-breaker with FAAR members collecting a whopping 31,032 boxes of cereal, blowing previous cereal drive totals out of the water.
Realtors® from across the region collect cereal from their clients, family, and friends and a friendly competition inspires each office to beat their prior year totals. FAAR would like to recognize the amazing efforts of this year’s Cereal Drive participants.
- Most Cereal Collected: 1st Choice Better Homes and Land (10,872 boxes)
- Most Cereal Per Agent: Cropper Home Sales (1,115 boxes)
- Most Improved: Century 21 Redwood (from 28 to 971 boxes)
- Affiliate Office: Universal Title-Fredericksburg (1,364 boxes)
Distributed across multiple food banks in the region, the cereal from this annual cereal drive is making a difference in the lives of families struggling with hunger in our community. Assuming each box can provide at least 10 meals, that’s over 310,000 meals in our region. Cereal was also delivered to food pantries in Westmoreland County and Louisa County.
Thank you to all of these participants for their involvement and collection efforts!
Century 21 Redwood Locust Grove
1st Choice Better Homes and Land
Avery Hess
Coldwell Banker Elite King George
Century 21 New Millennium Fredericksburg
Century 21 Redwood Fredericksburg
Coldwell Banker Elite Bragg Road
Coldwell Banker Elite Downtown
Cropper Home Sales
CTI Real Estate
Exit Elite
Keller Williams Capital Properties
Long and Foster Fredericksburg
MacDoc
Remax-Gillies team
The Title Professionals
Topside Federal Credit Union
Ulta Realty
United Real Estate Premier
Universal Title
Listen to how your efforts continue to make a difference!
Thanks for making me a hero!
Thank you for everything!
Thank you!
Looking for financial or renter counseling for your clients? CVHC has you covered!
#MemberMonday Meet Affiliate Dena Cooke
Name
Dena Cooke
Hometown
Fredericksburg VA
Current Location
Fredericksburg, VA
Title
Loan Officer with Embrace Home Loans
Number of Years in the Industry
2 1/2 years
Why do you love working in real estate?
My passion is helping others! I love to assist clients in the entire process of purchasing their new home. Helping to educate them and just support them during what can be such an emotional process. There’s nothing better than seeing the smiles and joy when they get those keys in hand. Especially first time home buyers.
Favorite Work Story
I had a first time home buyer who was told he couldn’t purchase a home and needed to rent at least another year. He called me and after working around a few hurdles we got him approved. Not only did he close on his first home a week ago, he told me that he is the first person in his entire family to own a home and he can now show his kids that if he can do it, they can too! He cried after closing and jumped around with the Sold sign in his new front yard. THE BEST!!!
What are you most proud of in your career?
I haven’t been a loan officer for many years like most, but I am proud of how many clients I have helped in a short period of time and just to see those smiles is the most rewarding for me.
Do you have a special cause or volunteer your time?
Beauty for Ashes is a place I volunteer and donate to on a monthly basis. They provide a safe and stable environment for women with life-controlling problems. It’s a home that offers help, hope and healing to both mother and child. They offer a Christian faith-based curriculum, life skills training, life applications, Church and community involvement lead to mental, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual wholeness. I have met some of the most amazing women who have completely changed their lives and their children’s future from their time at BFA.
Fun Fact
Before working as a loan officer I worked at our family business, Childress Heating & A/C, Inc. from the time I was in high school until just a few years ago. Our first office was a guest bedroom at the house I grew up in and went from there to now a large recognized business in the area. My Dad’s motto was always customer satisfaction which is why that is such a passion of mine as well. I have been married for 16 years to my husband Miles who still works for the family business and we have two boys, Nathan who is 14 and Ian who is 8.
The Foundation Dues Raffle is back!
GOT DUES???
Want to win your 2022 FAAR Realtors dues?? Enter the Foundation dues raffle!
Head over to the Foundation’s page and click the “donate” button. Make your $20 investment between now and September 15th at 11:00pm and you’ll be entered to win the FULL 2022 REALTOR DUES!!! The more you invest, the more chances you have to win. That’s a $680 value, so buy your tickets today! Winner will be announced after the morning education session on Wednesday, September 15. Thanks for your support of the Fredericksburg Realtors Foundation!
Read the FAARside newsletter for real estate updates and more!
Your copy of the August Newsletter, the FAARside is here! Crack open a copy for updates on local real estate and so much more!
Inside you will find
- Farewell message from retiring CEO, Pat Breme
- 2022 Leadership candidate bios
- Message from the 2021 FAAR President, Carrie Danko
- Thank you to RPAC investors
- An update on short term rentals in Spotsylvania County
- Information on the revamped Professional Honor Role application
and more!
Right click here or the image and click “Save as” to download
2021 REALTOR Cereal Drive — Connect with past clients, friends, and the community
Go coo-coo for cereal collection!
2020 was an unprecedented year for cereal collection. Let’s keep the cereal flowing in an effort to reach 18,000 boxes in 2021, all of which go to the local area food banks!
Use the cereal drive as a touchpoint.
The cereal drive is a fantastic way to reconnect with your sphere— Look for REALTOR®-branded marketing pieces here or at the FAAR office(post-card and flyer) to enhance efforts of collecting cereal from clients and friends.
Tell us if you’re participating.
Let us know if your office plans to participate by filling out the form below or emailing Barbara Castillo with your office and contact information by September 26th.
Final cereal counts will be announced at 10/28 mixer.
Collected cereal can be dropped off at the October 28th Halloween Mixer at Wilderness Run Winery from 5-7 PM or for large pick-ups, the Fredericksburg food van can be scheduled to pick up from your location. Please email Barbara bcastillo@faarmembers.com with your final box tally sometime before the 10/28 Halloween Mixer where we will announce the winners. Scroll down to see who participated in last year’s cereal drive!
Cereal Drive Office Contest Sign Up
Yes.. I want my office to participate in the annual FAAR Cereal Drive.
Download the square graphic for sharing here!
Key items to remember:
October 1-28- Collect cereal! Let Barbara Castillo (bcastillo@faarmembers.com) know if you need postcards.
October 26- If you have more that 250 boxes, just let Barbara know and she will arrange pick up.
October 27- if you had your cereal picked up — PLEASE CONTACT BARBARA WITH BOX COUNT
October 28- Drop off cereal (less than 250 boxes) to the FAAR Halloween Mixer at Wilderness Run Winery. Cereal can be dropped between 4-7 PM
October 28th, 7:15 PM Winners and totals announced!
Please feel free to reach out with any questions, and please post lots of fun pics and video on your cereal gathering and displays of cereal on social media to get all FAAR members excited about this very worthwhile cause!
2020 Participants
Affiliate collecting the most boxes – 4-way tie!
Tim Liddy with Charden – 200 boxes
Donna Schmidt with 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty – 200 boxes
Tony Bolding with Alcova Mortgage – 200 boxes
Katie Williams – First American Home Warranty – 200 boxes
Most Cereal Per Agent
1st Choice Better Homes and Land – 10,118 boxes total
Most Improved
Long and Foster – from 3,361 boxes in 2019 to 7,256 boxes in 2020
Runner-ups Most Cereal
Century 21 New Millennium – from 2,772 boxes in 2019 to 3,699 boxes in 2020
Weichert Realtors – from 527 boxes in 2019 to 3,303 boxes in 2020
United Real Estate Premier – from 806 boxes in 2019 to 1,554 boxes in 2020
Honorable Mention
Hometown Realty – first time participating and collected 325 boxes!
Grand Prize
1st Choice Better Homes and Land – 10,118 boxes!
Thank you also to these cereal collectors!
CTI Real Estate
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
Century 21 Redwood
Universal Title
Coldwell Banker Elite King George/Colonial Beach
Topside Federal Credit Union
Regarday
#MemberMonday Meet Senior Mortgage Originator Gene Newman
Name
Gene Newman
Hometown
Lake Anna
Current location
Lake Anna
Title
Senior loan officer/ mortgages
Number of years in the industry
25
Why do you love working in real estate?
I work for Fulton Mortgage which is a division of Fulton Bank and do all kinds of loans including single close construction loans in the greater Fredericksburg/Richmond area. I have a wonderful assistant named Kristy Hite.
What are you most proud of in your career?
Communication and returning phone calls is the key!
Do you have a special cause or volunteer your time?
Lake Anna Business Partnership
FAAR receives $4,500 for Orange County Park Project
FAAR will use a $4,500 Placemaking grant from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) to help transform an unused space in the Town of Orange into a vibrant, public destination for community use and enjoyment.
The grant was designed by NAR to ensure local Realtor® Associations are partnering with neighboring organizations to plan, organize, implement and maintain Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper placemaking in their communities.
FAAR will contribute these funds to help support the creation a pocket park along the Church Street corridor in the Town of Orange. This corridor was home to a thriving Black commercial district through the 1970s which was significantly impacted by a bypass transportation project. The park will feature a series of interpretive markets recounting the history and people of the business district, with seating, landscaping, and statuary. The park will not only serve as a gathering spot for reflection and inspiration, but also as a catalyst for preservation-based economic development. FAAR is partnering with the Orange Downtown Alliance, a certified-Main Street program.
Artist rendering of the proposed project