NC REALTORS® Housing Foundation Hosts Inaugural We R 100 Signature Luncheon

Cherokee, NC – The NC REALTORS® Housing Foundation made history on Tuesday, October 21, with its first-ever We R 100 signature luncheon at Harrah’s Cherokee Resort & Casino, an event that combined community spirit with compassionate fundraising to support the Foundation’s four community grant programs.

The luncheon kicked off in memorable fashion as the NC REALTORS® Housing Foundation Board of Directors made a spirited entrance to Petey Pablo’s “Raise Up” – North Carolina’s unofficial anthem – while spinning signature We R 100 rally towels, setting an energetic and celebratory tone for the afternoon.

Leadership and Community Support

2025 NC REALTORS® Housing Foundation President Nock welcomed guests and recognized the generous support of Platinum Table sponsors, including North State Bank and Sandra Barnhardt, Association Executive for Mid Carolina Association of REALTORS®.

The highlight of the program came when Leigh Brown, 2023 NC REALTORS® President, delivered a powerful speech detailing her firsthand experiences assisting Hurricane Helene victims in Western North Carolina with grant applications for $1,000 mortgage or rental assistance grants from the NC REALTORS® Housing Foundation.

Brown’s remarks acknowledged the National Association of REALTORS® REALTOR® Relief Foundation’s significant $1,000,000 contribution to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts. She also recognized the overwhelming generosity of individuals throughout North Carolina and across the United States, whose donations provided an additional $250,000 in funding to aid those affected by the storm. Through her remarks, she showed the importance of REALTOR® members supporting the NC REALTORS® Housing Foundation to help ensure the Foundation’s ability to address future disasters and affordable housing challenges in North Carolina.

Voices from the Front Lines

Attendees also heard from Margaret Finton Lebeck, Executive Director of Housing Assistance Corporation, a Western North Carolina organization actively repairing homes for residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. Her presentation provided valuable insight into the ongoing recovery efforts and the critical need for continued support. The Foundation donated $12,000 in 2023 to cover the remaining cost for two homes being built through Housing Assistance Corporation. Additionally, the Foundation will be making a contribution to Housing Assistance Corporation to assist their long-term Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.

Record-Breaking Fundraising Success

During the luncheon, NC REALTORS® Housing Foundation Director Tim McBrayer issued a fundraising challenge, asking each table of ten guests to collectively donate $1,000 to support the Foundation’s four community grant programs. The response was extraordinary. Thanks to Director McBrayer’s leadership and the dedication of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, the event raised nearly $60,000 through the tremendous support of luncheon guests and the silent auction.

Prizes and Recognition

Every participant received a raffle ticket for door prizes, with nine prizes awarded throughout the event. Winners took home items including North State Bank Swag Bag, Atlantic Bay Mortgage Swag Bag, Fresh Market gift basket, and two Home Shepherd – Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage Swag Bags, among other prizes. All door prize items were generously donated by Foundation directors.

Additionally, the NC REALTORS® Housing Foundation hosted a silent auction from Monday, October 20, through Thursday, October 23. Silent auction winners included:

1. Carol Bradley – Golf Lover’s Package, Fazio Design Hasentree Golf Club, Wake Forest, North Carolina
2. Ty Boyd – Lakeside Escape, Aberdeen, NC. Four bedroom lakefront home with pool. All amenities included, minutes from Pinehurst
3. Ty Boyd – Fishing Trip, Family-Friendly Fishing Charter on Ocracoke Island
4. Tammy Mozingo – Series 7 Galaxy Watch
5. Renee Cooney – Fall Ceramic Centerpiece
6. Janice Scarborough – NC Local Duffle Goodie Bag, items from all across North Carolina
7. Pamela Webb – Wilderness Alpine Roller Coaster, roller coaster fun in the mountains
8. Tim Mock – Apple Watch Series 9

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The We R 100 signature luncheon was made possible through the generous support of the following table sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors

• Mid Carolina Regional Association of REALTORS®
• North State Bank

Gold Sponsors

• Home Shepherds – Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
• Michelle Roberts & Special Guest
• Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS®
• Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS®/REALTOR® Giving Network
• Team Harris Real Estate

Silver Sponsors

• Catawba Valley Association of REALTORS®
• Fowler & Fowler, REALTORS®
• Longleaf Pine REALTORS®
• Mountain Lakes Board of REALTORS®
• Patriot Relief

Gratitude and Thanks

The NC REALTORS® Housing Foundation extends its heartfelt gratitude to every guest who attended and made this inaugural event truly momentous. Special thanks go to all twelve table sponsors whose generosity made the luncheon possible, and to the NC REALTORS® Communication & Marketing Department and Events Department for their outstanding support in bringing this event to life.

The success of the We R 100 signature luncheon demonstrates the REALTOR® community’s unwavering commitment to supporting North Carolinians in their time of greatest need.

Support the Foundation

Readers can support the NC REALTORS® Housing Foundation’s four community grant programs by making a donation. To learn more about the Foundation’s community partners and the impact of these programs, please watch this community partner video.

For more information about the NC REALTORS® Housing Foundation and its community grant programs, please contact Kentia Smith, Housing Foundation Director, ksmith@ncrealtors.org.