Realtors will have new opportunities to improve the beauty of their communities and learn more about how to make a difference in the environment from a new REALTOR VIPSM Program partner.

The National Association of Realtors announced the new partnership with the National Arbor Day Foundation that will allow Realtors to benefit from participating in two foundation programs at a reduced cost.

“Making a difference in the environment and improving the quality of life in our communities are two prime benefits our new partner, Arbor Day, is offering NAR members. Through these two programs, members will receive discounts on gift memberships and gift certificates for the purchase of trees, shrubs, and seeds, all of which promote healthy environments, beautify our communities, and make excellent closing gifts,” said Bob Goldberg, NAR senior vice president of marketing and business development.

Realtors, Realtor Organization staff at the national, state, and local levels, and immediate families are eligible to participate in the two programs.

The National Arbor Day Foundation will offer two products to NAR members—gift memberships and gift certificates—at reduced prices. Gift memberships, worth $10, will be sold to Realtors for $8 and include a choice of 10 seedlings, a copy of “The Tree Book,” a foundation membership card and a subscription to the “Arbor Day” bimonthly newsletter.

Gift certificates are $25 and will be available to Realtors at a 20 percent discount—$20—and are redeemable for at least one shade, flowering, or other tree variety or shrub. Realtors will also receive a complimentary one-year membership that includes “The Tree Book,” a foundation membership card and a subscription to the “Arbor Day” bimonthly newsletter.

Additionally, NAR members can purchase personal memberships or gift certificates and gift memberships for their clients that may be used as closing gifts. The foundation, created in 1972 on the centennial of the first Arbor Day, is a nonprofit organization that has distributed more than 8 million trees in the past year alone. The foundation donates more than 85 percent of its funds to tree planting and other environmental programs.

“We are very excited to be working with NAR on a program to distribute trees to new homeowners. They make great gifts and provide many benefits to us all. The trees planted through this program will clean the air we breathe, reduce heating and cooling costs, combat global warming and add beauty to our communities,” said John Rosenow, president of the National Arbor Day Foundation.

More information on gift memberships and gift certificates can be found at www.realtor.org, or by calling 877/445-9917 or visiting www.arborday.org/nar.

Published: August 12, 2002

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