Massachusetts Association of Realtors® Recognizes Local Realtors® for their Community Service Efforts

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) announced that Kelly Catallo of Keller Williams Realty in Medford and Lisa Farnworth of Pelletier Realty in New Bedford were named MAR’s 2016 Good Neighbor Award winners for their work on behalf of Boston Children’s Hospital and the Department of Children and Families respectively. The Good Neighbor Award recognizes Realtors® for their community activism. The award was presented at MAR’s Professional Awards Reception, which was held in conjunction with the Association’s 2016 Conference and Tradeshow at Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, CT.

In 2013, Catallo started an organization called Foundation of Friends to create community events that support non-profit organizations that make life better for citizens of Medford and surrounding neighborhoods. Her commitment to planning, organizing and fundraising to charitable events earned Catallo a reputation in her community as a “professional volunteer.” When her own son fell ill she put her expertise to work raising money for Boston Children’s Hospital, where her son was treated. For the past three years, Catallo has annually mobilized over 100 volunteers and sponsors to produce a fun run in support of the hospital called the Running of the Leprechauns 5K in Medford. Participants dress in green and enjoy Irish dancing, beef stew and bread after the race. Since its inception, the race has raised over $50,000 for Boston’s Children’s Hospital.

Farnworth first became involved with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in 2008 when she became an advocate for children within the foster care system. Formally, Farnworth has sat on the DCF Area Board as well as the Task Force for Foster Care Support. She has also created two fundraisers in support of local youth in the foster system in the New Bedford area. One annual event invites members of the community to sponsor a child during the holiday season, making sure foster children who are separated from their families during this time receive gifts and support. Through this event, over 70 children have been matched with individuals and given numerous holiday gifts. Farnworth also founded “Take This Child to Heart,” which raises money for local foster kids to attend summer camps or join youth sports.

“Our Good Neighbors this year are making their fellow Realtors® proud by giving back to their communities and helping children in need,” said 2016 MAR President Annie Blatz, branch executive at Kinlin Grover Real Estate on Cape Cod. “Whether its raising money for Boston Children Hospital or for children in foster care, Kelly Catallo and Lisa Farnworth are making a real difference.”

– Submitted by Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®