Hamilton Herald Masthead

Editorial


Front Page - Friday, May 15, 2026

Realtors give more than guidance throughout the year




This May 30 through June 7, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is rolling up its sleeves to participate in Realtors Volunteer Days.

This nationwide initiative highlights the profession’s longstanding commitment to service and community impact. In partnership with the National Association of Realtors, local agents are joining colleagues across the country to give back where it matters most.

Across the country, 68% of all Realtors volunteer monthly in their community. Giving back is part of who we are as both people and as professionals.

Together with the NAR, we encourage local Realtors who have a heart for service and a passion for giving back to either participate in these amazing groups mentioned or other organizations that help build a stronger Chattanooga committee.

GCR has workdays scheduled at four locations to support GCR’s Community Partners and Placemaking grant recipients: Hill City Pollinator Garden (May 30); Habitat ReStore (June 2); Habitat Build Site (June 4); and Lookout Mountain Conservancy (date pending).

Visit gcar.net/events for details of each volunteer opportunity’s location, times and other details. We encourage our friends and neighbors to join Greater Chattanooga Realtors in these efforts to enhance our community.

Our support of Realtor Volunteer Days is part of year-round service through our Community Partnerships Committee, which leads projects that strengthen housing stability and neighborhood pride.

Our annual Tee Up and Wine Down fundraiser, established in 2016, supports Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area and brings together Realtors, affiliates and community supporters to expand affordable homeownership. This year’s fundraising events will be held on Aug. 18 at Council Fire and Sept. 11 at Chattanooga Whiskey Event Hall.

Members also organize food drives to support the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, providing resources for families across our region. Separately, our Snack Pack Madness fundraiser supports Snack Pack Ministry and helps provide weekend food packs for local students.

GCR also invests in public spaces through our Placemaking Committee. Our Placemaking Projects transform underutilized spaces into safer, more vibrant places for the community.

Recent efforts include the Hill City Educational Pollinator Garden, Safe Pathways to School with the Chattanooga Urbanist Society and the Highland Park Neighborhood Association and a new trailhead in St. Elmo with the Lookout Mountain Conservancy.

The 2026 Placemaking grant was awarded to Walker County to fund a protective fence around the playground at the Walker County Civic Center Campus in Rock Spring, creating a safer containment area for children with special needs.

Greater Chattanooga Realtors is the voice of real estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with nearly 3,000 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is one of some 1,200 local boards and associations of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors services Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. For more information, visit www.gcar.net or call 423 698-8001.