Joe Valvano, president of Coldwell Banker Realty in Connecticut and Westchester County, New York, speaks at the company's Dec. 16 fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Courtesy photo

Coldwell Banker Realty in Connecticut and Westchester, New York donated $50,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital following the real estate company’s virtual “Home for the Holidays Extravaganza” on Dec. 16. The donation was presented via Coldwell Banker Cares, the real estate company’s philanthropic arm.

“Thank you to the more than 3,000 sales associates and employees who donated, and the more than 5,500 viewers who made our contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital possible. This holiday season, we were proud to support the invaluable service that St. Jude provides to families who are dealing with serious childhood illnesses,” brokerage president Joe Valvano said in a statement.

Gov. Ned Lamont gave a special introduction to the holiday event, which also featured a spectacular performance by the Fairfield County Children’s Choir, a cooking class and a virtual tour of Connecticut and Westchester communities. Coldwell Banker Cares increased its donation based on the number of people that watched the free stream, reaching its maximum goal of $50,000.

The CB Supports St. Jude partnership helps St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital treat more than 8,500 children a year from across the United States and around the globe who are being treated for cancer and other life-threatening diseases, providing many patient families a home-away-from-home when they need it most.