Contact:

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

Pinellas County Realtor® Receives FAR’s Humanitarian of the Year Award for 2005

Pinellas County Realtor Laurie Neiman is the winner of the Florida Association of Realtors’ 2005 Humanitarian of the Year award.

ORLANDO, Fla., September 2005 -- Pinellas County Realtor® Laurie Neiman was recently named Florida’s 2005 Realtor Humanitarian of the Year by the 130,000-plus-member Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). The award was presented at FAR’s recent 89th annual Convention & Trade Expo in Lake Buena Vista. 

A member of the Pinellas-Suncoast Association of Realtors®, Neiman 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. She spends many hours each week volunteering with Pinellas Village, which provides motivated single parent families the opportunity to achieve economic and emotional self-sufficiency through on-site and community-based resources, and safe affordable housing. The common goal for residents is to be able to care for themselves and their families without any government assistance within five years. 

More than 200 graduates from Pinellas Village have earned higher education degrees ranging from associate's to master's degrees; nearly 100 graduates have obtained training certificates in health, technology and other fields; and 58 graduates have become homeowners. 

Neiman's efforts focused on helping Pinellas Village better direct its community relations and fundraising efforts to increase financial support and volunteer involvement. Her innovative strategies brought more money to the program and helped more than 100 families transition from welfare to independence. For her contributions to the real estate profession and the community, Laurie Neiman has been honored with one of FAR’s top awards. 

The Florida Association of Realtors, the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation for more than 130,000 members in 68 local boards/associations.

© 2005 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS