REALTORS® in Action: Supporting Children in Our Community

On Saturday, April 4, members of the REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM), along with their families and friends, came together for a meaningful morning of service during our Bed Build Volunteer Day, hosted by the RASM Community Outreach Committee in partnership with Beds for Kids, a local nonprofit serving Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

The Community Outreach Committee regularly organizes volunteer initiatives like this to connect REALTORS® and Business Partners with opportunities to give back and make a positive impact in the communities we serve.

Approximately 60 volunteers participated in the event, including 30 RASM members made up of REALTORS®, Business Partners, and their family members and friends, alongside dedicated Beds for Kids volunteers. Together, they worked toward a shared goal of supporting children in need right here in our community.

Coming Together to Make a Difference

Volunteers rolled up their sleeves to sand wood, drill, paint, and assemble bedding kits, helping prepare materials for beds that will soon be delivered to local children who do not have one of their own.

For many, it was their first time volunteering with Beds for Kids. The hands-on experience offered a powerful reminder of how meaningful even a few hours of service can be.

“At RASM, service isn't just something we build with our own hands,” shared Community Outreach Committee Chair Debbie Eisenback.

More Than Just a Bed

Beds for Kids works with schools, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to identify children in need and provide them with beds at no cost to their families.

During the event, Beds for Kids President Mark Coates shared moving stories of bed deliveries, offering a powerful reminder of the need in our own community. In one story, he described visiting a local family where children had been sleeping on a pile of clothes. Through the support of Beds for Kids, that family received new beds, mattresses, and clean bedding, transforming their space into one of comfort and stability.

Each bed is delivered with care and includes new linens, pillows, and thoughtful items that help create a space where children can feel safe, supported, and at home.

“Every board sanded, every screw tightened, and every blanket and pillow bagged represents our commitment to giving every child in our community a place to rest, dream, and feel at home,” Eisenback added.

REALTORS® Giving Back

Events like this highlight the heart of RASM members and the ongoing efforts of the Community Outreach Committee to bring REALTORS® and Business Partners together in service to the community.

“We are especially grateful to RASM REALTOR® and Beds for Kids board member, Loretta Copper, whose leadership and passion brought this opportunity to us and helped make this day of giving possible,” Eisenback shared.

With 60 volunteers working side by side, the day was a powerful example of what can be accomplished when our community comes together with a shared purpose.

Get Involved

The impact of this day will continue long after the last piece of wood was sanded. Each contribution helps move one step closer to ensuring that no child has to sleep on the floor.

To learn more about Beds for Kids and how you can get involved, visit: https://b4kids.org/.

Learn more about RASM Community Outreach and how you can get involved