“In May 1992, my stepson took his own life. The Yellow Tulip Project is a Maine nonprofit organization whose mission is to “smash the stigma of mental health” and work to prevent suicide,” tells Rick Coyne, Broker/Co-Owner of EXIT Oceanside Realty in Wells, ME, of why they chose to support this charity, “For the past two years we have planted yellow tulips with more to be planted, supplied journals at the elementary school, and helped with a photo exhibit of real people talking about their struggles with mental health. We will have yellow benches at each of the hope gardens at the schools for students to visit with information they can get through QR codes.”
EXIT Oceanside Realty held a fundraising golf tournament on May 20, 2024, to raise money to plant more yellow tulip gardens, buy more journals, pay for speakers and a traveling photo exhibit, and supply more yellow benches for schools. Most of the funds were raised through sponsorships from local businesses.
A portion of every transaction fee received by EXIT Realty Corp. International is applied to its charitable fund. Through the Spirit of EXIT Charitable 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. Rick and his team of associates hoped to raise $3,500, which EXIT’s head office was proud to match, but they exceeded their goal and raised $5,364.53, for a total donation of $8,864.53 to the Yellow Tulip Project.
“We are very humbled and grateful to receive this generous donation and are inspired to work together to make a difference in the lives of young people,” said Anaïs DerSimonian, Executive Director, Yellow Tulip Project.
