2023 Good Neighbor Award - Presentation to Columbia Gorge Habitat

By Ruby Mason

The Dalles, OR. October 27, 2023 - The Oregon REALTORS® Good Neighbor Award recognizes a REALTOR® member who makes a positive impact on their community. This annual award seeks to highlight, inspire, and perpetuate the individual contributions within the real estate industry toward improving the livability of Oregon cities and towns, as well as financially supporting the non-profits that exist to do the same.  Ruby Mason, Broker, Windermere Columbia River Gorge received a $500 Award for Columbia Gorge Habitat for Humanity in recognition of her volunteer work with the local nonprofit. 

The $500 Award was presented to Columbia Gorge Habitat for Humanity at their Annual Meeting in October.  The GNA Award was matched with a check for $1000 from the Windermere Foundation and $500 from local Windermere Realtors for a total donation of $2000.

Ruby Mason,  stated "It’s truly an honor to present this award to Columbia Gorge Habitat for Humanity.   For so many working families, homeownership is out of reach.  Columbia Gorge Habitat for Humanity is helping by building homes and hope, one home at a time. A decent affordable home not only strengthens and stabilizes families but improves our neighborhoods as well. Providing affordable housing is the ladder that helps people climb out of poverty. Children who have a stable home do better in school.  Columbia Gorge Habitat for Humanity has seen first-generation of children graduate from University and give back to their community.  So it’s really an investment that keeps on giving."

Ruby Mason reflected “When I first got involved with Columbia Gorge Habitat, I thought my goodness the need is so great, what can building one home a year make?  But when it seems the need is so overwhelming, I’m reminded of the Starfish and the Sea Story.   

An old man had a habit of going down to the beach every day to write.  One morning after a big storm, he noticed that the beach was littered with starfish as far as the eye could see.  As he drew closer he saw a young man who was reaching down and throwing something into the ocean.  He called out to the young man, “What are you doing?”  To which the young man replied, “I’m throwing starfish back into the ocean - when the sun gets strong they will die if they stay on this beach.  The old man shook his head and said, “Son, I don’t think you will make much difference; there are literally thousands of starfish on this beach.  At that point, the young man reached down and threw another starfish into the sea and replied "it made a difference to this one."

Volunteers are critical to the work that Columbia Gorge is doing. Volunteer workers have started to build the latest home in The Dalles, Oregon.  Family participants also contribute volunteer hours in sweat equity to their homes. After the home is completed,  Columbia Gorge Habitat for Humanity provides the financing that makes the home affordable.

 A Big Big Thank you to the Oregon Realtors Association and to the Windermere Foundation for recognizing and inspiring Realtors who volunteer to make a positive difference in their communities. 

Winston Churchill once said:  “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.” “If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the future, touch a life.”