Jeff Fields win National Award for Preventing Teen Suicide

The National Association of Realtors® today announced Jeff Fields, with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty in Scottsdale, as one its five 2020 Good Neighbor Award winners. As a volunteer and past board president of nonprofit Teen Lifeline, Fields has served more than 28,000 youth through a peer-to-peer teen crisis hotline while providing community education on suicide prevention.

NAR’s Good Neighbor Awards honor 10 Realtors® annually for making an extraordinary impact on their communities through volunteer work. Over the past 21 years, the Good Neighbor Awards program has awarded nearly $1.4 million in grants to more than 200 Realtor®-led nonprofits. Their impact has been felt in 40 states, 15 countries and in Puerto Rico. 

Our Good Neighbor Award winners leave a remarkable impact on their communities every year, but everything these Realtors® have done in 2020 is even more impressive and more commendable. I am proud to honor Jeff Fields for dedicating his time and passion to giving hope to teens who had none.” 

NAR President Vince Malta, broker at Malta & Co., Inc., in San Francisco, Calif.

Fields became passionate about saving teens from what he calls “the most preventable death” after losing several friends to suicide. To read his full story, go to magazine.realtor/JeffFields.   

With the award, Fields will receive a $10,000 grant for his charity and will be featured in the November-December issue of Realtor® Magazine. In lieu of the traditional ceremony held every year at the REALTORS® Conference and Expo, each winner will also be honored by their local Realtor® associations over the coming months. 

National Association of Realtors® Recognizes Jeff Fields as 2020 Good Neighbor Award Finalist

Ten finalists recognized for continued impact in their communities despite pandemic-induced challenges

The National Association of Realtors ® Good Neighbor Awards is one of the most prestigious real estate awards in the nation that recognizes Realtors ® who’ve made an extraordinary commitment to improving their communities through volunteer service. It’s no surprise that Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty agent Jeff Fields has been selected as a top 10 finalist for its 2020 Good Neighbor Award. 

This is the 21st year the Good Neighbor Awards have recognized Realtor ® volunteers who donate time, money and passion to enrich the lives of people in their communities. In the coming weeks, five winners will be selected by a multi-stage, criteria-based judging process. Winners will receive a $10,000 grant and national media exposure for their community charity, including a feature in the November/December issue of REALTOR® Magazine. 

The winners will also be recognized at the virtual REALTORS® Conference & Expo this November, while five honorable mention selections will receive a $2,500 grant for their respective nonprofit organizations.

“Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, these Realtors® have continued to help their neighbors in impactful and inspiring ways,” said NAR President Vince Malta, broker at Malta & Co., Inc., in San Francisco, CA. “I am so proud to honor this year’s Good Neighbor Award finalists for their outstanding volunteer work and for exemplifying everything we strive to be as Realtors® and as engaged, compassionate members of a community.”

After losing several friends to suicide by the time he was 21, Jeff Fields has been committed to saving teens from what he calls “the most preventable death.” Seeking to turn tragedy into hope for other, Fields got involved with Teen Lifelines, a statewide nonprofit that provides life-saving resources to more than 28,000 teens struggling with suicidal thoughts while providing community education and prevention. He has served as board president of Teen Lifeline. Individually, Fields has been a highly successful fundraiser for Teen Lifeline, calling upon the generosity of some of his real estate clients. 

Jeff puts his heart and soul into everything he does, including Teen Lifeline. His enthusiasm, intellect and influence make him a real asset to organizations fortunate enough to have him involved, including Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. Jeff makes a difference. - Todd Gillenwater, Founder of RLCF

Scottsdale Realtor® Gil Gillenwater, the brother of Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation Founder and Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty CEO odd Gillenwater, was recognized in 2000 as one of the original Good Neighbor Award winners. Gillenwater founded the Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation after visiting Agua Prieta and has spent the past 32 years raising and investing over $10 million to build homes, education centers and orphanages.

The public is invited to weigh in on the 10 finalists at realtor.com/goodneighbor between September 2 and October 2, as a $2,500 award will go to the top vote-getter and the second and third place winners will each earn $1,250. These ‘Web Choice Favorites’ along with the five judged winners will be announced on October 6.

Realtor.com® is the primary sponsor of the Good Neighbor Awards program and also funds the Web Choice Favorite grants awarded as a result of the public vote

Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation Partners with Arizona Association of REALTORS® to Sell T-Shirts and Raise Funds to Benefit Arizona Housing Fund

The Love Your Neighbor T-Shirt Sales Start Monday, May 4th

The Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation, a subsidiary of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, is partnering with the Arizona Association of REALTORS to raise money for the Arizona Housing Fund. The sales start Monday, May 4th, and only runs through Monday, May 18th, 2020. 

The Love Your Neighbor t-shirts are being produced by local Tempe business Anton Sport and just $20.

They are available online at https://russlyon.antonsport.com/russlyon/shop/home. 

All the proceeds benefit the AZ Housing Fund. The Arizona Housing (AZHF) is a dedicated and sustainable revenue source that grants funding to the nonprofit agencies that build and operate Permanent Supportive, Low-Income and Working Poor Housing. Its equity grants will enable more housing units to be constructed, meeting the growing needs of our communities in Arizona with the goal of reducing homelessness.

For every shirt or onesie ordered the Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation will donate $10 to the Arizona Housing Fund. 

There has never been a more important time for everyone to come together and support the Arizona Housing Fund. This foundation gives families a fighting chance to stay in their homes and helps others find housing.

BETSY DICKINSON, PRESIDENT OF THE RUSS LYON CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Agents Jane Blacker, Jeff Fields Honored by Scottsdale Leadership, Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS For Their Community Work

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Agents Jeff Fields and Jane Blacker have been honored for their community work in Scottsdale.

Jeff Fields received the 2019 Good Neighbor Award from the Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS (SAAR). The award goes to a SAAR member who serves as a community role model and has contributed a significant amount of personal time and energy to a program that improves livability in Scottsdale.

“Through Jeff’s dedicated work with Teen Lifeline, our Board of Directors Felt he was incredibly deserving of this award,” said Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS CEO Rebecca Grossman. “Everything that Jeff does is a reflection of his commitment to making a meaningful difference in his community.”

Teen Lifeline provide suicide prevention and other crisis and counseling services and programs for teens.

Fields is based in Scottsdale. He has been in the top 5 percent of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and was in the 2017 40 Under 40 class of top Realtors in Scottsdale.

Jane Blacker was honored with the 2018-2019 Volunteer of the Year Award from Scottsdale Leadership. Blacker has served Scottsdale Leadership’s Alumni Event Committee and is now on the group’s Board as Alumni Events Chair. Scottsdale Leadership President Andi Robertson said having Jane back on our Board of Directors adds a depth of experience and wisdom to Scottsdale Leadership and we are grateful for her continued leadership.” 

Blacker — who was born and raised near London, England — has also served on the Boards of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce. Blacker joined Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty in 2011 after working commercial and residential real estate in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. She is also based in Scottsdale and has been a top producer for Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty.

The Russ Lyon Foundation donated $65,000 to 35 local nonprofits and charities in 2019. Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Agent Betsy Dickinson has been named the Foundation’s new President.

“Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty is strongly committed to serving communities across Arizona and making them stronger and great places to live. Our agents do wonderful work across the state. It is exemplified by Betsy Dickinson’s work for the Russ Lyon Foundation and the community awards bestowed on Jane Blacker and Jeff Fields. We are very proud of their work and efforts,” said Todd Gillenwater, CEO of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty.

RUSS LYON CHARITABLE FOUNDATION DONATES $10,000 IN RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS HEALTH CRISIS

The Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation, a subsidiary of Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty, will be donating $10,000 to nine food banks across Arizona in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The various offices will be donating the funds to the following food banks; 

• Camelback Tower and Pinnacle Peak (Corporate Office) will be donating $2,000 to the Vista del Camino Food Bank, managed by Scottsdale Community Partners

• Carefree will be donating $1,000 to the Foothills Food Bank

• West Valley will be donating $1,000 to the St. Mary’s Food Bank

• Southeast Valley will be donating $1,000 to AZCEND

• Flagstaff will be donating $1,000 to the Flagstaff Family Food Center

• Prescott will be donating $1,000 to the Yavapai County Food Bank

• Sedona will be donating $1,000 to the Sedona Community Food Bank

• Tucson will be donating $1,000 to the Tucson Community Food Bank (Punch Woods Brach), a branch of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona

The rippling effects of the coronavirus pandemic are not only affecting businesses, restaurants and bars, but local food banks as well. Food banks across the state are continuing to provide resources to people in need within their communities. However, with more families experiencing lapses in income, food and necessities brought on by the coronavirus, supplies and volunteers at food banks are starting to decrease. On March 19th, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey activated the National Guard to help grocery stores and food banks in response to the growing need.

“The Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation strives to improve lives and communities of those in need while spreading compassion and kindness within our state. During these unprecedented times, we are very grateful to be in a position to give back and have the ability to assist organizations that provide essential resources to communities and individuals in dire need.” Todd Gillenwater, CEO of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and Founder of Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation

Russ Lyon Foundation Supports a Night to Shine

Skye O’Grady and Saydi Kelly of the Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty glammed up for A Night to Shine with the Tim Tebow Foundation! The Tim Tebow Foundation's mission is to bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.⁣
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Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience for people with special needs ages 14 and older. This year, 721 churches from around the world came together to host Night to Shine for approximately 115,000 honored guests through the support of 215,000 volunteers!⁣