Spartanburg realtor Cindy Barrett on Wednesday was named a winner of Realtor Magazine’s 2016 Good Neighbor Award.
The award honors realtors who have made an “extraordinary impact on their communities through volunteer work,” according to the magazine. The award includes a $10,000 grant and a feature in the publication’s November/December issue.
Barrett and her husband, John Barrett, are co-founders of Christmas in Action, a faith-based non-profit that repairs homes of low-income, elderly and disabled residents, and veterans.
“Christmas in Action is one of the best kept secrets in Spartanburg,” Cindy Barrett said. “In April, we will celebrate our 20th anniversary. During that time we have repaired more than 800 homes in the community. The grant will go along way in furthering our mission and hopefully the award will enable us to encourage more people to love their neighbor.”
Barrett, who is affiliated with Keller Williams Realty in Spartanburg, said she and her husband decided to start the organization after moving to the Upstate from Hartsville.
She said Christmas in Action’s mission is based on the Bible verse Mark 12:31, which commands believers to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Barrett and four other award recipients will be recognized during the Realtors Conference & Expo on Saturday, Nov. 5, in Orlando, Fla.
“This year’s Good Neighbor Award winners have gone beyond the call of duty to improve communities around the globe,” said Tom Salomone, president of the National Association of Realtors and broker-owner of Real Estate II Inc. in Margate, Fla. “They touch the lives of those they serve in many positive ways while also maintaining successful careers in real estate and supporting their clients on a day-to-day basis. I am proud to honor Cindy’s dedication to making home repairs for seniors who can’t afford to pay for them.”
Barrett said Christmas in Action will repair 10 homes in the Inman community on Saturday, Oct. 1. Volunteers are welcome. Participants will meet at 7 a.m. at Inman First Baptist Church at 14 N. Howard Street in Inman.
The organization is always looking for volunteers, particularly from skilled professions, and will accept financial donations.
Its partner agencies have included churches, school groups, businesses and other entities seeking to improve the community.
For more information, visit: ciaspartanburg.org.
