SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Zephyr Real Estate, a long-time charitable partner with Project Open Hand, recently contributed $5,000 to that volunteer agency for the replacement of one of its delivery vans. Upon learning that Project Open Hand had started the process to raise funds for the van’s replacement, Zephyr immediately stepped up.
“Normally we would solicit agent donations in advance by offering to match contributions from agents and staff, but this is a fairly immediate need and we decided to avoid delay with a sure commitment,” commented Randall Kostick, Chief Operating Officer of Zephyr Real Estate. Kostick encouraged agents and staff to continue their personal donations to this worthy cause. Zephyr has been active in supporting Project Open Hand and is the only remaining private company with a regular delivery route, which has been active for over 13 years.
Project Open Hand was founded in 1985 by Ruth Brinker, a retired grandmother who had lost a friend to AIDS. Understanding that malnutrition was causing death nearly as often as the illness, Brinker enlisted the help of friends and began to provide meals to seven clients. Word spread and the client base rapidly grew. Brinker drafted more volunteers, and Project Open Hand was born; it has continued to grow ever since.
The scope of Project Open Hand has also expanded and now includes the homebound, critically ill and those who have limited social services available to them. Brinker’s legacy of “nutrition with compassion” is alive and well. Project Open Hand is a volunteer organization that prepares and delivers meals daily to more than 2,600 San Francisco critically ill and homebound individuals, providing nutritious meals to those who might otherwise go hungry. To make a tax-deductible donation or to learn more about this effort, check out the fundraising site at www.indiegogo.com/projects/wheels-with-love-for-project-open-hand.
Volunteers at Project Open Hand work with a team of chefs filling grocery orders, delivering meals, serving at various senior lunch sites throughout San Francisco, and working at special events to support the program. More than 125 volunteers are needed daily to prepare, package and deliver meals and groceries. Those wishing to volunteer may visit the website’s volunteerism page at www.openhand.org/join-us/volunteer.
About Zephyr Real Estate
Founded in 1978, Zephyr Real Estate is San Francisco's largest independent real estate firm with nearly $1.8 billion in gross sales in 2013 and a current roster of more than 220 full-time agents. In 2010, Zephyr launched its new website, which has earned two web design awards, including the prestigious Interactive Media Award. Zephyr Real Estate is a member of the international relocation network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World; the luxury real estate network, Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate; and the local luxury marketing association, the Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco. Zephyr has six strategically located offices in San Francisco, a business center in Marin County, and serves a large customer base throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, visit www.zephyrsf.com.