Real Estate Cares... Tuesday's Dispatch, Virtue: A Business Imperative (Feb 8), generated comments from many public spirited real estate professionals. Leading the corporate pack is Trizec Properties, which raised almost $200,000 for UNICEF's recent Tsunami Relief Effort, according to EVP Bill Tresham.

Roughly half of Trizec's contribution originated as a corporate pledge with the balance from building visitors, tenants and Trizec’s own employees. Tresham credits Amy Smolensky, Manager, Corporate Communications, with leading the "national lobby collection drive held in 76 Trizec buildings during the week of July 17." (Over 120,000 people walk through Trizec lobbies every day.)

Tim Prouty with CBRE in Tucson writes. "Due to the very fact that real estate is local, almost every professional firm that I know -- from developers to title companies to brokers -- is actively engaged in their communities. The good works performed by the real estate industry benefit charities and towns all across the country. I'll wager that you will find a real estate professional on every local charity board raising money and giving time. Major corporations come and go, but the local real estate community can always be counted to pitch in and give back."

Tom Gibson with the Gibson Company in Newport Beach, CA, writes. "You might be interested in a program that our firm has been providing for the past several years. It is the Charitable Donation Initiative. We donate 10% of any business referred to us. Donating to worthy organizations has been very gratifying, like the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Ana, Human Options, Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, Kid Works, CCV Kenya Missions, Brethren Christian School and Irvine Presbyterian Church."

Craig Hill with Grubb & Ellis in Seattle writes. "Real estate professionals have been giving back to the community long before GE decided it was the appropriate thing to do. We hold an annual 'Broker of the Year' event here in Seattle. As a former chair and involved for almost ten years, I was constantly impressed with the broker candidate community activities. I would challenge any other industry who thinks it gives back more than ours."

--Peter Pike