Brooklyn real estate firms continue storm-related aid

November 13, 2012 By Linda Collins Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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Ariel Property Advisors

Ariel Property Advisors and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce raised $12,000 for storm recovery efforts at the Chamber’s RED Nite event held in Prospect Heights last week.

The funds will go to the Brooklyn Recovery Fund for Hurricane Relief, a joint effort of the Brooklyn Community Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce and the Brooklyn Borough President’s office.

Originally planned as an evening of networking for the real estate community sponsored by Ariel Property Advisors, the event became a “RED Nite for Hurricane Relief.”

As plans were formulated, Shimon Shkury, president of Ariel, pledged that his firm would match donations made at the event up to $5,000. However, as the evening progressed and donations rose above that number, he increased the firm’s pledge to $6,000.

“I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of the Brooklyn [real estate] community and deeply grateful to the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and everyone who came out and donated to the Brooklyn Recovery Fund,” Shkury said.

The fund will support those Brooklyn nonprofit organizations that are working with the communities and individuals most affected by the storm.

Carlo Scissura, Chamber president and CEO, also thanked attendees and Ariel Property Advisors for their generosity.

“We were able to raise $12,000 in just two hours for the Brooklyn Recovery Fund, which shows how much Brooklynites care about their borough in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.,” he said.

“This money will go to residents and small business owners in the borough that need it most. I want to thank everyone for giving and I encourage more people to donate money in the coming days and weeks.”

The Chamber’s RealEstate and Development (RED) Committee is comprised of representatives of the real estate, development and finance communities who actively work together to identify and promote borough-wide real estate investment opportunities.

The RED Nites are informal after-hours networking events held in new developments in emerging residential neighborhoods and commercial districts.

This event took place at The Prospect, a new development at 823 Classon Ave.

To donate, visit www.brooklyncommunityfoundation.org.

Douglas Elliman Brooklyn Heights real estate office

The Douglas Elliman real estate office at 156 Montague St. in Brooklyn Heights is among those accepting donations and organizing relief efforts.

“Douglas Elliman has made hurricane relief to devastated areas where so many homes have been lost or damaged its most important concern,” said Dottie Herman, president and CEO.

The firm’s efforts in Brooklyn and city wide include the following:

• Using social media and online resources to rally volunteers for relief efforts and distribute information.

• Organizing helicopters, trucks and volunteers to go from designated donation centers across the city, delivering aid to victims in Breezy Point, Coney Island, Rockaway, Long Beach and Staten Island.

• Soliciting donations and dispensing storm news updates through Herman’s radio show, “Eye on Real Estate,” on WOR.

• Keeping all Elliman offices with power open for collecting and distributing donations of non-perishable food items and other necessities and to provide local residents with power, charging stations and warmth. A fund is also being created to help those in need in these regions.

• Elliman Rentals is also assisting placement and insurance adjusters who need help in finding shortterm and longterm housing for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed.