2017 NJ Realtors® Good Neighbor Awards

First Place: Debra Flower

First place was awarded to Debra Flower, of Valley Realty Co. in Elmwood Park. She began her career in the real estate industry in 1990, working for a real estate attorney and investment company. Flower obtained her real estate license in 2000, and then her broker’s license in 2003. She specializes in first-time homeowners in Paterson, a low-income area that presents many challenges along the way. Flower says that from placing an offer to sitting at the closing table as a homeowner, this allows her to experience the American Dream firsthand. For many of her clients, they are the first in their families to own a home. Throughout her real estate career  she has been able to provide many in the community with furniture through donations from fellow Realtors when they have a property for sale or a closing. She’s collected clothing, toys, household items, electronic keyboard, basketball hoops, Christmas trees and ornaments, and much more.  Her involvement with the Great Falls Rotary Foundation will earn them a $2,500 donation in her name.

Second Place: Jane Snyder

Second place was awarded to Jane Snyder, of Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach in Ocean City. Snyder has served on numerous committees and held leadership positions within the Colony Club of Ocean City, a women’s service organization, affiliated with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Club. Serving the club since 2008, Snyder not only actively participates as a member but supports special fundraising events. This past fiscal year brought $4,650 into the club, which will be distributed to 13 charitable organizations, including the Ocean City High School, the Ocean City Historical Museum, the Humane Society of Ocean City, and many others. The Colony Club will receive $1,500 donation in her honor.

Third Place: Dolores Serpe

Third place was awarded to Dolores Serpe, of Weichert Realtors in West Milford. She is a member of the Passaic County Board of Realtors and longtime resident of West Milford.  About 10 years ago she decided to give back to her community by joining the West Milford Township First Aid Squad, which involved attending a 200+ hour Emergency Medical Technician course and passing the New Jersey EMT test. Serpe’s involvement with WMFAS has grown significantly during her tenure with the organization. She started out riding her assigned shift weekly and answering emergency calls for the residents of the township with a caring and concerned attitude, but quickly became a skilled technician and was always ready to answer the call for a “general”, which is when the assigned duty crew is already out and a backup team is needed, thus ensuring continuity of care. Serpe has served as the WMFAS representative to the EMS Council of New Jersey, representing the squad at 17th District meetings and at the annual convention. She was also elected officer as the squad’s Lieutenant, serving for the 5th year in that role, second in command to the squad captain and is responsible for scheduling monthly training for all squad members. Serpe’s caring attitude extends to her home buying clients as she presents each new homeowner with a hand-knitted blanket to celebrate their new start.