Debra Samuels, Sales Associate with EXIT Leading Edge Realty in Stafford, VA has worked with Downtown Greens before so she knows just how important this organization is to her community. Downtown Greens is a charity located in Fredericksburg that provides learning opportunities and youth and community programs based in and around the environment.
“I chose this group because they give so much back to our community,” Debra explained, “They offer yoga, dance, and art. They teach gardening, how to plant your own food, and are planning to open a kitchen to teach healthy cooking.” Debra and Downtown Greens launched a social media campaign, Save the Last Farm, to raise money for their most recent project.
Downtown Greens is under contract to purchase and conserve a 56-acre parcel of land that contains living wetlands and mature trees, as well as the last farmland in Fredericksburg. As an extension of what they’ve been doing for over 25 years, this project will protect and nurture urban greenspace, teach the community about sustainable and organic growing techniques and provide accessible open space.
A portion of every transaction fee received by EXIT Realty Corp. International is applied to its charitable fund. Through the Spirit of EXIT Dollar-for-Dollar Matching Program, EXIT offices and associates can raise money for local, approved, registered charities and apply to EXIT’s head office to have those funds matched from the company’s pool of funds. Debra hoped to raise $5,000 which EXIT’s head office was proud to match, however she highly exceeded that goal and raised $11,300 for a total donation of $16,300 to Downtown Greens.
“Thank you for your support of Downtown Greens’ efforts to save one of the last open spaces in the city of Fredericksburg. Our team and partners are eager to take on this exciting opportunity. It will not only expand our programming capabilities but increase the number of people in our community who can enjoy accessible greenspace,” said Sarah Perry, Executive Director of Downtown Greens.
