New Jersey Realtors® recognized three outstanding volunteer leaders with 2019 the Good Neighbor Awards at the Triple Play Realtor® Convention & Trade Expo during New Jersey Realtors®’ annual awards ceremony.
“The Good Neighbor Awards celebrate an often-overlooked part of the Realtor® world—community service,” said 2020 NJ Realtors® President Angela Sicoli. “Our winners this year are no exception. They are exceptional Realtors® who chose to give back to their communities and neighborhoods with their time and talents and we are proud to be associated with them.”
The award recognizes Realtors® who have made an extraordinary commitment to community service on the local, national and/or global level. Candidates are judged based on their contribution, the impact of their work, and their leadership skills. Winners receive a grant of $2,500 for first place, $1,500 for second place, and $1,000 for third place for a charity organization in their name.
First Place: Marrie-Rose Garbacz
$2,500 for the Caribbean Medical Mission of New Jersey
Garbacz is a Realtor® with RE/MAX House Values in Roxbury. Currently, she serves as Treasurer and Mission Coordinator for Caribbean Medical Mission of New Jersey a nonprofit organization that treats the underprivileged in the Caribbean. For the past 15 years Garbacz has planned the logistics of the organization’s medical missions, which includes traveling months before the trip to meet with government officials and assessing the conditions of local clinics.
“The energy and happiness that I get from my volunteer work translates well into the enthusiasm and joy of helping others realize the dream of real estate ownership,” said Garbacz.
Second Place: Lorraine Colavito
$1,500 for Hugs for Brady
Colavito is a Realtor® with Keller Williams in Metuchen. For the past eight years, she has been an important stakeholder for the Hugs for Brady Foundations, an organization dedicated to supporting children with cancer and eradicating childhood cancer through support of cutting-edge research.
Third Place: Bonnie Borghi
$1,000 for Bergen Volunteers
Borghi is a Realtor® with Friedberg Properties & Associates. She is a member of the Haworth Parks & Playgrounds Committee, a Co-Chair of Haworth Seniors, and the Co-Founder of Helping Hands of Haworth, a not-for-profit organization, and Greater Bergen Realtors® Community Service Committee.
