Amanda Scott, Sales Representative with EXIT Landmark Realty of White Plains, MD and her office chose to help The Salvation Army, Waldorf Outpost this past holiday season. The Salvation Army, Waldorf Outpost is a local division of a larger international movement that provides multiple services including but not limited to, job training, veteran services, disaster relief, financial assistance, and food pantries.
“I’ve personally seen how much the pandemic has caused the number of those in need to increase. Even though it’s been over a year since the pandemic changed all of our lives, the amount of people asking for help has not slowed down. I’ve seen the Salvation Army help the homeless finds homes, addicts get into rehab, distressed families find transformation, the hungry get fed, holiday meals be given to those who can’t afford to provide a large dinner, and bills paid so people can keep their homes and utilities on,” Amanda explained. “I cannot stress how much this fundraiser caused a ripple effect in our community, for the better. Every $5 helps a family of four with the Salvation Army, and I wanted to be a part of that beautiful picture. I wanted EXIT to be a part of that beautiful picture.”
Amanda and the team kicked off their 3-day fundraising event on December 9th, 2021, with the EXIT Landmark Realty holiday party where they took up a collection. The following day they opened an online fundraiser to friends, family, and business partners asking for further support. Finally, on December 11th, Amanda rang the Salvation Army bell outside the LaPlata Walmart from 10 am to 7 pm dressed as a holiday elf. Proudly, Amanda took photos with Lieutenant Christopher Pachik, from the Salvation Army of Waldorf, as well as Bill Dotson, a public figure in the county who came out to support the initiative.
“Our Southern Maryland community has, on average, 200 families and individuals a month who come to the Salvation Army outpost for food and bill assistance. The fundraiser was specifically for those things,” Amanda said.
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. Amanda and her team hoped to raise $2,500, which EXIT’s head office was proud to match, however they exceeded that goal and raised $2,629 for a total donation of $5,129 to The Salvation Army, Waldorf Outpost.
“We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This money will go to help hundreds of families towards financial assistance, famine, clothing, etc. We are able to help better the community because of generous donors like you,” said Lt. Chris Pachik, Pastor and Officer of The Salvation Army, Waldorf Outpost.
Amanda says, “Helping the community was the best part, but seeing the children ‘talking to an elf’ was pretty great too. Many miracles can happen when you believe.”
