On September 30, 2015, it was announced that John Kersten, President of CENTURY 21® Town & Country in Utica, Michigan, was one of the five winners of the National Association of REALTORS^® (NAR) Good Neighbor Award. For his dedication and commitment to serving his community through his work with Easter Seals Michigan, he’ll receive a $10,000 grant, along with a feature in the November/December issue of REALTOR Magazine. Additionally, Kersten will receive an additional $1,000 donation to the organization for winning the Web Choice Award.

While Kersten started out organizing rubber duck races for Easter Seals 24 years ago, he utilized his marketing skills to run annual car and cash raffles that raise more than $1 million a year. Throughout the last decade and a half, the $15 million he has raised has helped support programs for children and adults with special needs, including the Miracle League baseball team for children with disabilities and the AgrAbility program, which directly provides services for farmers with illnesses, injuries, or issues associated with aging.

“I accept this award on behalf of the work Easter Seals does on behalf of families and children living with disabilities to live, work and play in their communities,” Kersten said after hearing the good news. “To be mentioned in such great company with these other Good Neighbor finalists is a tremendous honor as their work, too, is helping to build better communities around the country.”

Kersten’s drive to raise money for his branch of Easter Seals has resulted in his brokerage leading the country in fundraising for CENTURY 21®, which is an official sponsor for the organization. In fact, the $1 million his office raises each year makes up about one-third of what CENTURY 21® raises for the organization across the country. Kersten, who has been in the real estate business for the last 48 years, said that his fundraising initiatives have “become like my business.”

“The selflessness demonstrated by John speaks volumes about his leadership skills and his ability to mobilize people for a common cause,” said Rick Davidson, President and Chief Executive Officer of CENTURY 21® Real Estate, LLC. “John has always been a ‘Good Neighbor’ to the CENTURY 21® System, and we are proud to have him represent our brand.”

Watch the video below to learn more about John Kersten’s contribution.

Syndicated via Century 21®. Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/century21/wAvv/~3/GqNO0Xsq35o/