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Jeff Zipper, Vice President of Communications
407/438-1400, ext. 2314
JeffZ@far.org

Marla Martin, Communications Manager
407/438-1400, ext. 2326
MarlaM@far.org

Tampa Realtor® Receives FAR’s Humanitarian of the Year Award for 2004

ORLANDO, Fla., September 2004 -- Tampa Realtor® Deborah Farmer was recently named Florida’s 2004 Realtor Humanitarian of the Year by the 110,000-plus-member Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). The award was presented at FAR’s recent 88th annual Convention & Trade Expo in Orlando. 

A member of the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors®, Farmer was recognized as exemplary community leader and honored for her contributions to civic and social service agencies that help to improve and strengthen her community. In particular, Farmer has devoted her time to helping young people in her area by volunteering with the state's Guardian Ad Litem program, where she serves as an advocate for abused or neglected children and represents their interests in court. 

For example, in one case last year, Farmer's efforts helped to bring a family back together after the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) removed three young children from their 21-year-old, hard-working mother when the five-year-old walked away as a neighbor babysat them. Helping the children, Farmer realized that DCF had erred. Consequently, she worked tirelessly to overturn the ruling and return the children to their mother. The courts agreed with Farmer and reunited the family, even eventually dismissing the case. But Farmer did not stop there and continued to help the family on the road to independence, mentoring the mother as she worked to earn her GED and buy a used car. 

Farmer also has helped her community as a CPR instructor with the American Red Cross and the American Heart Associations, as an emergency medical technician with a volunteer rescue crew and as a volunteer American Read Cross disaster coordinator. For her contributions to the real estate profession and the community, Deborah Farmer has been honored with one of FAR’s top awards.

The Florida Association of Realtors (FAR), the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its more than 110,000 members in 70 boards/associations.

© 2004 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS