Century 21 Signature Real Estate is proud to announce that our own Tami Hicks, REALTOR® and managing broker of the Ames office, is a 2022 finalist for the Good Neighbor Award from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).
The Good Neighbor Award recognizes 10 agents who make an extraordinary impact on their communities through volunteer work. Five winners each receive $10,000 toward their charity while five semi-finalists receive $2,500.
Hicks is the founder of Overflow Thrift Store, a nonprofit that resells and recycles furniture and household items at below-market rates and then donates the proceeds to more than 10 organizations including Children’s Hope Chest, Wings of Refuge, Matthew 25 House, Martha’s House of Hope, and more. The organization serves the dual purpose of helping people in need in the Ames community and supporting organizations making a difference in communities around the state and country.
Overflow was started in 2014 when Hicks, who owns and manages several rental properties, realized tenants were leaving behind furniture and household goods that could be repurposed for others in need. Today, Overflow operates in two locations in Ames and has resold more than 1 million items, recycled 325 tons of clothing that otherwise may have gone into landfills and donated $512,000 to nonprofit organizations.
“[Tami] is the go-to person, especially when it comes to dealing with landlords or the city or anything that comes up in that way,” said Patty Mohr, the volunteer coordinator at Overflow. “Big and small, Tami does it.”
Hicks plans to use the grant money to make improvements to Overflow’s storefront and improve store security. The Central Iowa Board of REALTORS®, of which Hicks is a board member, announced that it will match the grant amount.
In addition to the grant, all finalists have the opportunity to win the title of Web Choice Favorite which earns more grant money through community voting on NAR’s website. The finalist with the most votes will win an additional $2,500 toward their nonprofit while the second- and third-place favorites will each win an additional $1,250.
Web Choice Favorites will be announced on October 6.
Voting is now open and runs through October 3. To vote for Hicks and Overflow, click here. Anyone can vote as many times as they like.
“This year’s Good Neighbor finalists have gone above and beyond to help build stronger communities and improve the lives of people across this country,” said NAR President Leslie Rouda Smith. “Their determination and selfless commitment embody everything that we strive for as Realtors® and as compassionate members of our community. I’m proud of this group for devoting hundreds of hours of their personal time to these important causes.”
Hicks spoke to NAR about her work at Overflow and said, “God has had a huge hand in what has happened here. Every time we come upon a hurdle, there’s a solution waiting for us.”
CENTURY 21 Signature Real Estate is proud to support Hicks and her work in the Ames community. Click here to learn more about the Overflow mission and to vote for Hicks.