Despite the troubled economy, the Palo Alto Realtor Campaign for Partners in Education (PiE) raised more than $41,000 for PiE this year. The occasion was marked by a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at the Garden Court Hotel in Palo Alto, during which Michael Hall, a Realtor with Alain Pinel Realtors and co-chair of the Campaign, presented a giant check to PiE president Lois Garland.
"The grand total was actually $41,195 plus the $500 or so from the silent auction that we are giving to PIE," said Hall. The money will be used to fund PiE teacher grants through PiE's Honor Your Teacher campaign. To date the annual campaign -- now in its 8th year -- has raised more than $400,000 for PiE.
"As Realtors we know the value that our fine schools bring to our business," Hall said. "Buyers compete with each other to pay the 'Palo Alto Premium' because they want their children to be educated in our system. Sellers in our market are reaping the benefits of their investments and many gratefully acknowledge the role our good schools play in that process and in the results they see when their houses are sold. This is true even now in these unusual times."
Leslyn Leong, the PiE Board Liaison for the campaign, noted that this year PiE offered some new marketing benefits to the realtors, such as sign riders with the words "Partners in Education Realtor Donor, 2008-2009," website listings on the PiE website and the Palo Alto Weekly, and more for those who donated $400.
"We're so grateful for the continuing generosity of our realty community," Leong said. Contributions from the realty brokers and their affiliates along with other community donors truly reflect PiE's mission of a partnership between parents, PAUSD and the community."
Hall said he anticipates that the Palo Alto District of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors (SILVAR) will be able to maintain its generous tradition in the years to come.
"Palo Alto Realtors and their affiliates will continue to support our schools with this annual campaign. Our children are the hope of the future and their education is the key to success in the wider world. Thank you Partners in Education for your efforts to help build and maintain great schools in Palo Alto," Hall said.
