The National Association of Realtors has named the five winners of the 2024 Good Neighbor Awards that highlight members who excel at volunteerism in their communities.
This year's award winners are Ed Gardner, Gardner Real Estate Group, Portland, Maine; Stacy Horst , Keller Williams Atlantic Partners, Fernandina Beach, Florida; Christopher Johnson, Imagine Associates LLC Realty, Ellenwood, Georgia; Danette Johnson, Moab Realty, Moab, Utah; and Charlie Wills, Charlie Wills Team–Real Estate Partners, Madison, Wisconsin.
“Good Neighbor Award winners exemplify the spirit of caring" and true commitment, said NAR President Kevin Sears, broker-associate of Sears Real Estate/Lamacchia Realty in Springfield, Massachusetts, in a statement. Sears said their dedication "extends beyond traditional real estate boundaries."
The five winners were recognized for concrete actions they took to improve their communities. Gardner founded the Equality Community Center that houses 18 LGBTQ-focused nonprofit groups in one complex with below-market rent. He also is leading the group's development of a 54-unit affordable housing complex for seniors.
Horst was honored for co-founding Erin’s Hope for Friends following the death of her 17-year-old daughter, Erin, who had struggled making social connections and took her own life. "In her memory, Horst and her husband established e’s Club, a supportive space for teens and young adults on the autism spectrum," NAR said.
The five winners, who were selected using a multistage, criteria-based judging process, will receive a $10,000 grant for their charity, NAR said. The association will officially present the awards Nov. 9 in Boston during NAR NXT, its annual conference.