Arthur Repak
The Connecticut Association of Realtors presented its 2003 Good Neighbor Awards at its recent Leadership Conference at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center in Uncasville. The awards are given annually to Realtors who make an exceptional contribution to improve the quality of life in their communities.
Lisa Switz of Stonington was granted the award for volunteering approximately 1,000 hours to initiate, organize and lead the movement to merge the failing Mystic Community Center with the Westerly-Pawcatuck YMCA. Switz organized a task force, formed and chaired a negotiating committee and rallied community support. On July 26, the MCC became the Mystic YMCA. The doors will remain open and serve approximately 1,200 families with a service area of approximately 11,000 people. Switz, who works at Switz Real Estate Assoc. in Stonington, is a member of the Eastern Connecticut Association of Realtors.
Anne Schmiedel received the award for volunteering 600 hours as the producer of Ridgefield High School musicals. There are more than 100 students in each production with five shows per production for a total. Schmiedel personally contributed $300 toward production of the shows and raised $4,000 by securing signed art by local artist Jack Grasso to be sold at an art fund-raiser. The monies were used to enhance scenery, costumes, sound system and lighting. Schmiedel works at William Pitt Real Estate in Ridgefield and is a member of the Ridgefield Board of Realtors.
Arthur Repak received the 2003 Good Neighbor Award for volunteering over 400 hours to the Connecticut Rivers Council Boy Scouts of America. Repak has been working with youths as a Scout Leader for 53 years. He started Scouting in Troup 218 in Manhattan and served as Patrol Scribe, Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader. Repak achieved the rank of Life Scout and is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. Repak has joined the Middlesex District as a Unit Commissioner and is now a member and chairman of the District Advancement Committee. He also served as a member of the Water Pollution Control Authority of Cheshire for 18 years. Repak works at William Raveis Real Estate in Cheshire and is a member of the Greater New Haven Association of Realtors.
Marty Rauch of Cheshire received the award as well. Rauch’s main objective is to make other Realtors aware of how they can make a difference and inspire them to serve more than one master charity. His motto is “We are here to serve, not to be served.” Rauch donates $100 from each sale transaction to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. Rauch was granted the award for volunteer work he has done with numerous charities. He has donated over 900 hours to those causes over the last 18 months. Rauch personally has contributed approximately $40,500 in dollars, resources and materials in the last 18 months to the various charities. He works at Re/Max Schoolside Realtors in Cheshire and is a member of the Greater New Haven Association of Realtors.
A check for $1,000 will be donated in the winners’ names to the charity of their choice. Exit Realty of Connecticut cosponsored the Leadership Conference along with the Connecticut Association of Realtors.
