Realtors Adopt Rain Communities Charity

Prudential California Realty’s Camarillo Manager Jim Chutuk handing a check to Ami Milla, president of Rain Communities Inc. Three years ago, the agents and staff of the Camarillo branch of Prudential California Realty (PCR) heard about a charity that touched their hearts, and they promptly adopted Rain Communities Inc.

Since then, PCR Camarillo has stuck by this organization, the only homeless shelter in Ventura County devoted to families. It’s on Lewis Road in Camarillo. The shelter residents are primarily mothers and children, but on rare occasions, Rain Communities will take in a father. In one such case, a man’s wife passed away, he lost his job, couldn’t properly raise his children, and lost his home. Rain Communities’ goal is to provide total support to families like this and assist in getting them back into the real world as swiftly as possible. Jobs are found, homes located, and so on.

To raise funds for the shelter, PCR Camarillo started with summer barbecues and sold raffle tickets for prizes. PCR sales associates from Camarillo, Thousand Oaks and Oxnard, as well as various realtors and realtor affiliates in the area, donated the gifts. In 2003, with two barbecues, PCR raised $10,000 for the charity. There were some snags the summer of 2005, so the barbecues were replaced with a successful holiday party.

On Dec. 6, Camarillo hosted a bash with more than 200 in attendance, enjoying delicious complimentary food and beverages. The guests then took part in the raffle. Even though tickets were only $1, the group rallied to the cause and raised $3,600 in only four hours. The 15 or so prizes were even more impressive than in past years, including a TV and DVD players.

Throughout the evening, periodic announcements were made regarding status of their goal of $3,000 for the evening. Surpassing that by quite a bit was exciting for all involved. Some days later, Manager Jim Chutuk handed a check from the fundraiser to Ami Milla, president of Rain Communities Inc. About 50 of the 65 Camarillo agents and staff were present for the presentation.