Stirling Properties Is Stepping Up To The Plate
Team members lead fundraising efforts to support The Miracle League Northshore
We are gearing up for the First Annual Miracle League Radio-thon that will be held on Tuesday, November 14th from 7am-7pm on the Lake 94.7! The event will celebrate a day of fundraising by community businesses and partners who are stepping up to the plate to help The Miracle League Northshore build its first playing field that will provide mentally and physically disabled children and young adults with a safe playing environment. The special field will be able to accommodate wheelchairs and other walking-assistance devices that, along with appropriate support facilities, is designed specifically for use by individuals with disabilities.
Team Stirling members—Bradley Cook, Sales & Leasing Executive, and Griffin Lennox, Investment Sales Analyst—have been active volunteers and ambassadors with The Miracle League, and are leading our company’s charge to support the organization.
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to be cheered on and rooted for, and The Miracle League opens up that chance for so many children and young people with all types of special needs,” said Cook. “Since I started working with special needs individuals, I have learned that every heart has the same emotions and desires, regardless of physical capability. I have connected with and developed true friendships with some of the participants that I have had the pleasure to know and coach over the years. No other place do I personally feel as honored and accepted as when I am with these kids.”
Lennox also serves as a “buddy” for participants with The Miracle League to help encourage learning and fun in sports. “I have had the honor of working with several organizations that focus on creating opportunities for children and adults with physical and mental disabilities, but none quite like The Miracle League. I live and breathe sports, and The Miracle League gives me a place where I can combine my love of sports with my desire to contribute to the mission of amazing organizations like this one. I can’t really describe the environment. The excitement and determination you see on our players’ faces is truly inspirational,” said Lennox.
Last year, Stirling Properties selected The Miracle League as the beneficiary of our annual Stirling Olympics fundraiser. Through the event, we were able to raise $28,000 for the organization to help fund the construction of the new playing field. Our contributions helped to push the organization over the halfway mark to move forward with the project—and we are committed to seeing it through to completion!
Stirling Properties is sponsoring a 30 minute on-air timeslot during The Miracle League Radio-thon where company representatives will be apprising the community of the great things that we are doing in commercial real estate across our region, while also raising funds for the new field. You can help us reach our goal by tuning in and making a donation! Listen on the Lake 94.7 FM (St. Tammany Parish and surrounding areas) or stream the station live. To learn more about The Miracle League or to make an online donation, visit their website. (Donation checks should be made out to The Miracle League Northshore. Please notate “Stirling” in the memo line. Payment can be mailed to: The Miracle League Northshore, 13505 Hwy. 1085, Covington, LA 70433.)
The Miracle League works to provide disabled children and young adults, regardless of their level of disability, the opportunity to play league games and enjoy the emotional and physical benefits of being part of a team. The mission of Miracle League of Greater New Orleans and The Miracle League North Shore is to promote the health and well-being of children with disabilities, provide opportunities for non-disabled children to learn about and interact with children with disabilities, and develop community awareness and support for the child athlete with disabilities through organized sports leagues.
#StirlingProud
2017 Stirling Olympians Triumph During Annual Games
Raise $53,000 For Local Nonprofits!
Stirling Properties has its own version of the Olympic Games! Employees recently celebrated the 5th Annual Stirling Olympics, an event hosted by the Stirling Stewardship Committee to raise money for charitable causes throughout the Gulf South region. The event was a HUGE SUCCESS, raising $53,000 for local nonprofit organizations!
Next Generation
Funds raised benefited Next Generation, which helps facilitate student-initiated lunch clubs on Junior and Senior high school campuses to connect students in conversation and with local mentors for guidance on real-life issues such as bullying, suicide, violence, drug abuse, relationship struggles, and excellence in education, as well as The Learning Tree, which provides educational, residential, and support services for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities. Representatives from each organization were on hand to accept a check for $26,500 each.
The Learning Tree
Throughout the day, Stirling Properties’ team members battled one another in quirky competitions and relay races such as Musical Chairs, Hula Hoop Chain, Caterpillar Race, Dodgeball, Bucket Heads, Puzzle Relay, and The Funky Chicken. Scores were tallied, and individual medals were awarded for each event. Although our athletic skills were not of world-class caliber, a good time was had by all!
The games were judged by Christi and Steve Zito (Zito Russell Architects), Steve Serio (Fishman Haygood), Elizabeth Schmelling (New Orleans Moms Blog & Red Stick Moms Blog), Tommy Buckel (Duplantis Design Group), and Kasey Dorr (RCI). (A couple of flags were thrown, but no players were ejected this year for unsportsmanlike conduct!) Dick Cyr served as the event emcee. Fidelity Bank, Smoothie King, and Whole Foods Market provided participants with food and beverages throughout the day.
Elizabeth Schmelling, Tommy Buckel, Christi and Steve Zito,
The Gold Medal overall went to the Lime Tamers. Congratulations to Roslyn Rogers, Denise Tatum, Peggy Sayler, Kelly Wellmeyer, Donna Allsup, Jack Conger, Johnny Tolson, Grady Brame, Chris Mastio, and Tracy Gandy! The Blue Team took home the Silver Medal—Chris Abadie, Claire Draper, Joyce Ori, Sharon Amacker, Brandon Gerak, Rachel Jerkins, Cheri Magee, Kennedy Striplin, Rebecca Pritchard, and Bradley Cook. Gangsters in Paradise secured the Bronze Medal—Griffin Lennox, Donna Derokey, Amanda Goldman, Lynn Blanchard, Kathy McGoey, Scott Macdonald, Saban Sellers, Townsend Underhill, Carly Plotkin, and Kylie Ferguson.
At the end of the day, Stirling Properties’ partnership group treated everyone to a special presentation called “The Mane Event.” They competed among themselves in a hobby-horse obstacle course race! Employees were able to cast votes for Best of Show and Course Grand Champion. Donna Taylor swept the competition in both style and grace with her horse, Sassy Sparkle Boots. Townsend Underhill took home the award for Outstanding UNDERachievement with his horse, Race For The Crown.
A heartfelt thanks to all of our supporting sponsors, including Wright & Percy, Richard Price, Brasfield & Gorrie, Fishman Haygood, Duplantis Design Group, Zito Russell Architects, Whitney Bank, Walker & Dunlop, Rotolo Consultants, IBERIABANK, Fidelity Bank, Capital One, Vinson Guard, Rozas Ward Architects, Louisiana Landscape, J&B Machine Co., BH Management, Berkadia Commercial Mortgage, VergesRome Architects, Tudor, Stratum Engineering, Regal Construction, Jefferson Sprinkler, Baker Donelson, and Acadia Land Surveyor.
And a big shout-out to the Stirling Stewardship Committee and the Olympics Committee for all their hard work organizing the event and making it happen! You all deserve a round of applause!!
#StirlingProud
“TREEmendous” Organizations In Our Region
This past weekend, we celebrated Earth Day, an annual day dedicated to encouraging conversation and engagement around environmental sustainability.
Stirling Properties is a proud supporter of numerous environmental programs right here in the Gulf South region. Their work is critical to our success and makes our communities—where we live and work—stronger. In addition to corporate support, many of Stirling Properties’ employees and agents give their time and resources to charitable organizations that improve our environment.
So even though Earth Day has come and gone, we would like to spotlight a few organizations that make our region a little greener every day.
SOUL Nola (Sustaining Our Urban Landscape)
SOUL, a project of The Trust For Conservation Innovation, is dedicated to driving a resilient and equitable New Orleans through improving its water systems.
According to SOUL, New Orleans is the most deforested city in the United States. The group believes that a healthy and substantial urban forest is critical to New Orleans’ ability to live harmoniously with stormwater. Like gray infrastructure, such as canals and roads, the urban forest and other forms of green infrastructure must be built at a meaningful scale and properly integrated into the city. SOUL is dedicated to strategically reforesting New Orleans, one neighborhood at a time. This year, volunteers have planted 190 large native trees in the Mid-City and Algiers Point/Old Algiers neighborhoods of New Orleans, and are in a planning phase for additional areas.
Nola Tree Project
The mission of Nola Tree Project is to grow stronger, healthier communities through tree planting, community service, and disaster relief programs. Through initiatives such as Greaux Healthy Kids & Community Orchards, Urban Forestry Program, and Big TREEsy Giveaways, Nola Tree Project aims to improve the quality of life for our neighbors and communities. With the help of numerous volunteers, the organization has planted nearly 40,000 trees throughout the greater New Orleans area.
Friends of Lafitte Greenway
The Lafitte Greenway is a 2.6-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail and green corridor that connects neighborhoods from Armstrong Park to City Park in New Orleans, significantly transforming one of the most historic areas of New Orleans into a multi-use transportation corridor and linear park.
The Greenway includes a 12-foot asphalt path for cyclists and pedestrians, new recreation fields, green space, and landscaping improvements including approximately 500 shade trees, native plant meadows, bioswales and stormwater retention features. The path is fully lit with LED energy-efficient trail lighting and includes curb extensions, signalized high visibility crosswalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps at sidewalk corners, environmental remediation, a crushed stone walking path, and a bicycle and pedestrian roundabout. Friends of Lafitte Greenway plans to launch several new initiatives and projects throughout the Greenway that will include art installations, healthy living events, guided tours, community gardens, and much more. The organization and its members are working diligently to build, program, and promote the linear park as a great public space.
We salute these “TREEmendous” organizations for their contributions to our region. And we look forward to supporting and “growing” with them for many years to come.
#StirlingProud
Marty
Field of Dreams
Earlier this week, The Miracle League Northshore broke ground on its new playing field and facility located at Coquille Parks and Recreation in Covington, Louisiana!
The Miracle League works with mentally and physically disabled children so they can participate in everyday sports. The Northshore division was founded in 2014 to bring The Miracle League to serve the children of St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington Parishes. Coquille Parks and Recreation donated the land, and after a years-long fundraising campaign, the group is finally ready to start construction of the field.
[wpvideo 55HcnFMe]Currently, the children play on a natural-grass field, but the dirt and grass design of a baseball or soccer field found in a typical youth sports program can be challenging and unsafe to maneuver from a wheelchair or with crutches used by many Miracle League participants.
The new Miracle Field will be a specially constructed surface that uses a cushioned, synthetic turf to accommodate wheelchairs and other walking-assistance devices that, along with appropriate support facilities, is designed specifically for use by children with disabilities.
Gina Lorio, Miracle League’s Executive Director, and Griffin Lennox, Stirling Properties’ Investment Sales Analyst
Stirling Properties selected The Miracle League as the beneficiary of our annual Stirling Olympics fundraiser last year. We were able to raise $28,000 to help fund the new playing field and provide local children with access to a safe playing environment! Stirling Properties’ Investment Sales Analyst, Griffin Lennox, is also an active volunteer with The Miracle League and serves as a “buddy” for participating children to help encourage learning and fun in sports.
The mission of Miracle League of Greater New Orleans and The Miracle League North Shore is to promote the health and well-being of children with disabilities, provide opportunities for non-disabled children to learn about and interact with children with disabilities, and develop community awareness and support for the child athlete with disabilities through organized sports leagues. The vision of the program is to provide any disabled child, regardless of their level of disability, the opportunity to play league games and enjoy the emotional and physical benefits of being part of a team.
#StirlingProud
‘Tis the Season For Giving
For the 5th year, Stirling Properties has participated in the Volunteers of America Christmas Wish project. Employees and agents donated Christmas gifts, food baskets and other essential items to local families across our Gulf South region.
Volunteers of America helps more than 2 million people every year in over 400 communities. The annual Christmas Wish Project helps bring joy and holiday cheer to families and individuals who might not have a Christmas at all. Through Volunteers of America, participating families submit three “wish list” gift items for each individual. Stirling Properties and employees were able to fill every single wish! In all, close to 30 families and more than 49 children, adults and seniors received Christmas gifts. Additionally, each family received a food basket with tasty treats for the holiday season.
Stirling Properties’ Stewardship Committee organized the company-wide event by partnering with Volunteers of America in Greater New Orleans, Greater Baton Rouge, Northwest Louisiana and the Southeast to serve the New Orleans Northshore and Southshore, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Shreveport-Bossier City and Mobile communities.
In addition to donating to the Christmas Wish Project, Stirling Properties hosted the second annual Northpark Christmas Bazaar, Bake Sale and Raffle on Friday, November 18th. Local vendors, as well as employees of the Northpark office complex sold crafts, jewelry, ornaments, books, beauty products and many other great gift items.
The Bake Sale and Raffle raised nearly $2,000, which was donated in full to Volunteers of America’s Greater New Orleans’ Christmas Family Program!
Participating in this project is always a great reminder of the true spirit of the Holiday Season – giving and generosity. Stirling Properties is committed to supporting the communities where we live and work, and we will continue to support local nonprofits, community groups and charitable organizations throughout the year and beyond.
Thank you to all of the vendors, donors and shoppers who made this project a huge success. You are all on Santa’s nice list! We hope to see you next year.
For more information about Stirling’s Stewardship Committee, please visit our website or contact us by email at stewardship@stirlingprop.com.
Golf Fore! Good
Stirling Properties hits a hole-in-one
with its Annual Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament
The 16th Annual Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament was held earlier this month at University Club Plantation in Baton Rouge. More than 120 golfers participated in the scramble event and were treated to a great day of food, fun and fellowship—along with a little friendly competition—all for a good cause.
The tournament was a huge success, raising $30,000 for local nonprofit organizations! In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Foundation received $10,000 from the proceeds. The remaining proceeds were distributed to various local charitable causes.
Representatives from Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Foundation and LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation were on hand to receive a check for their contributions. Grady Brame, Executive Vice President of Stirling Properties (and resident golf expert!), presented a check to Todd Stevens, President and CEO of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center; and to Rick Perry, President and CEO of Tiger Athletic Foundation, during an awards celebration and cocktail reception following the tournament.
Todd Stevens, Jimmy Maurin, Grady Brame
What happens on the golf course does not stay on the golf course—here’s a recap of the days’ activities. The 1st Place Low Net was won by Steven Serio, Tyler Marquette, Lance McCardle and Colin O’Flynn. The Low Gross winning team included Paul Geyer, Rick Perry, Grady Brame and Jimmy Maurin. Additional awards were presented for 2nd, 3rd and 4th Low Gross and Low Net as well as 4 Closest to the Hole prizes, Longest Drive, and Highest Gross Score (we won’t name any names!).
A heartfelt thanks to all of our friends and supporters that participated and contributed to the Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament. This event would not be possible without you.
“The 16th Annual Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament was a tremendous success, and we were once again able to donate to worthy nonprofit organizations that are truly making a difference in our communities. We are grateful for the generosity of our tournament sponsors and thank everyone that came out to support us. We hope to see you again next year!” said Brame.
The Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament has contributed more than $184,000 to numerous organizations over the past 16 years, with Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Foundation being the majority beneficiary of proceeds. Since 2004, $117,000 has been donated to the center in support of its cancer research and care-giving efforts.
#StirlingProud
Additional sponsors include Economical Janitorial Supplies, Grass Unlimited, Calcasieu Mechanical Contractors, Robert Refrigeration, Ryan Gootee General Contractors, Thermal Products, Angelos Landscaping, Big Easy Parking Lot Maintenance, Chrestia Staub, Cost Segregation Services, Inc. (CSSI), Gulf South Electric, ITS Fire Alarm Security LLC, Massengale Grounds Management, Netchex Payroll Services, Precision Concrete Cutting of Louisiana, Republic Services, Inc., Star Service Inc., Trimark, Unit Design, Jones Fussell, BH Management Services, CBL & Associates Properties Inc., CSRS, Inc., Malone Roofing, Premier Service Team, Real Estate Tax Group, LLC, River Parish Disposal, LLC, Robert Levis Development, Southeastern Waterproofing, First Bank & Trust, Moran Construction Consultants.
A huge shout out to Fidelity Bank, Brad Jongbloed and his team, for sponsoring lunch.
