In the parking lot outside the Troop Real Estate office in Simi Valley on Monday morning, 25-year-old Victor Rubio helped load car trunks with large bags filled with frozen turkeys, pumpkin pies and other traditional Thanksgiving fare.
The work was nonstop for Rubio and his 22-year-old brother Bryan Rubio. The line of people continued to grow for the three hours the turkey dinners were given out during Troop’s 10th annual “Turkey-A-Thon.”
Organizers said an estimated 13,784 people will be fed for Thanksgiving by the turkey dinners distributed this week at both its Simi Valley and Ventura Troop Real Estate offices. Victor Rubio said he didn’t mind the hard work because when he was a child, his family was in a similar situation and needed help, too. “We were always very appreciative of getting help, so we always knew we wanted to give back,” said Victor Rubio, who has volunteered for many years during the holiday season.
His mother, Veronica Rubio, who runs Simi Valley’s Care and Share, was there with her sons, checking off names of those in line. They worked alongside many volunteers from Troop and various community organizations. Those receiving food were from various backgrounds and situations. There were seniors, single mothers, people with disabilities and some just down on their luck. All the recipients went through their local food banks to qualify. They received the basics to make a traditional Thanksgiving meal, including a 10- to 12-pound frozen turkey, potatoes, cans of green beans, cream of mushroom soup, a box of stuffing, cranberry sauce and fresh rolls. This year was the first year the recipients received pumpkin pies, all purchased by Simi Valley Hospital.
In 1998, Alex Gandel, a real estate agent at Troop Real Estate in Simi Valley, came up with the idea to feed as many families as possible during Thanksgiving. Since then, the Troop team has distributed more than 70,000 Thanksgiving meals in the community. Gandel said many people and companies offered to help and contributed $32,912 toward the effort in the past month. He said the team surpassed its goal to feed at least 10,000 people. “This year, given our economic climate, the need has been greater and people turned out to help,” said Gandel. “Next year, we’re going to take it to the next level and feed even more people.”
Rose Phillips, 85, was one of the many seniors who received the dinner. “This is wonderful and I’m very appreciative. We don’t realize how lucky we are today here. Some people in other places won’t have anything to eat,” Phillips said.
Simi Valley Troop team, Chipotle join to benefit Simi Valley Care & Share food bank
Posted November 1, 2009 in the Ventura County Star
Owen Noguera (center), general manager of Chipotle Mexican Grill in Simi Valley, is joined by Renee Rector, an agent for Troop Real Estate, Inc. in Simi Valley, and her husband/business partner Stan Rector, to display a portion of the food items they raised for Care & Share in Siim Valley
When Renee Rector won a free meal recently at the Simi Valley Chipotle Mexican Grill’s regular drawing, she had a vision. With the cooperation of Chipotle’s General Manager Owen Noguera she thought of a great opportunity to provide a much needed boost for the local food bank while providing a free meal for members of the community.
It all started when Rector — an agent teamed with husband and business partner, Stan Rector, in Troop Real Estate’s main Simi Valley office — won a free meal at the restaurant.
“Owen asked me to bring in my friends and family members for a free meal,” Renee said. “Giving it some thought and having participated in Troop’s drives to give back to the community for years, I asked him, ‘How many people can I bring?’ He said, ‘How many people are close to you?’ ”
She tried to be modest, but replied “about 30 or so.” Owen said OK.
The Rectors felt it would be a great idea if they offered their clients a free meal at Chipotle Mexican Grill. But along with the invitation, the couple asked them to bring in canned foods and other nonperishable food items to help the local Care & Share food bank in Simi Valley.
“The most amazing part was how many people showed up. Chipotle Mexican Grill provided somewhere between 60 and 78 free meals. We were touched to help so many people with Owen’s cooperation who, in turn, helped others,” Renee said.
Recently, the Rectors visited Care & Share to make the donation of the canned goods in Chipotle Mexican Grill’s name.
“We raised a considerable amount of food in the three hours we were at Chipotle,” Renee said. “Many of the folks that ultimately benefitted are facing particular hardships in today’s economy.”
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2009/nov/01/simi-valley-troop-team-chipotle-join-benefit-simi-/
Photo by Joseph A. Garcia
Stan Rector of Simi Valley, leaps from 130 above ground attached to a bungee cord. He is observed by Star staff writer Tom Kisken who remained with the crane.
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2009/aug/17/reporter-barrels-through-hectic-last-day-at-fair/
Agent, escrow officer honored for service Simi Valley-Moorpark Association of Realtors installs 2008 leadership.
Passion for encompassing both the most important investment his clients will ever make as well as routinely mastering 100-mile bike rides are at the heart of Stan Rector's selection as 2007's Realtor of the Year for the Simi Valley-Moorpark Association of Realtors, leading a group of five agents or officials of Troop Real Estate Inc. honored by the group at its recent 43rd annual installation dinner.
Other Troop personnel to be honored and selected to key SVMAR posts included Leanne Alva of All Valley Escrow, who was named Affiliate of the Year for SVMAR and is the first escrow officer to ever receive that award. All Valley Escrow is an affiliate of Troop Real Estate.
Additionally, SVMAR immediate Past President Nicole Romanowski and assistant manager in Troop's Moorpark office, Peter Greer, manager of the Moorpark office, and Charlene Siemon, manager of the company's Simi/Wood Ranch office, were elected to the association's board of directors.
Rector, a top-producing agent in Troop's Big Sky/Simi office, was described during his introduction as combining a commitment to making a difference in his industry and displaying passion both in his profession and in the diverse activities of his personal and civic life.
"Many of us have had the pleasure of working with him in real estate transactions and would agree that his ability to work collectively with all parties involved is not only refreshing, but sometimes humorous, often entertaining, but most importantly, always professionally fair and honest," said Romanowski in announcing Rector's selection.
She went on to say that Rector volunteered his time to serve as an SVMAR director and committee chairperson from 2004-2006 and has been instrumental in implementing systems and business strategies "that help each and every one of us as real estate professionals. With his vast knowledge of technology and understanding of its importance in our industry, we were blessed to have him as a key player in the design and implementation of what is now the Ventura County Regional MLS," Romanowski said.
Reacting to his Realtor of the Year designation, Rector, a Simi Valley resident, said: "I'm blown away. Being honored by your peers is the ultimate recognition, exceeding even production awards."
In being honored as Affiliate of the Year, Alva was cited for "being the affiliate member who provides significant contributions and service to the Simi Valley-Moorpark Association of Realtors."
An escrow officer since 1997 and associated with All Valley Escrow since 2002, Alva became an escrow officer for the firm in 2005. Among her many services to SVMAR were affiliate chair in 2006 and 2007, installation chair in 2006, and affiliate committee chair awards two years running.
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2007/dec/30/agent-escrow-officer-honored-for-service-simi-of/
Imagine this — your doorbell rings and when you open the door, you are greeted by someone holding a huge arrangement of balloons, a stuffed teddy bear and a bottle of wine.
This was the scene at the home of Mary Smith of Simi Valley a few weeks ago when Renee Smith (no relation) dropped by to personally deliver news that Mary was the winner of a brand new 2007 Ford Mustang from Troop Real Estate.
"I was surprised, shocked, excited, and just flabbergasted," said Mary Smith. And, to think — she delayed sending the entry back in because she "never wins anything."
Simi Valley Ford once again assisted Troop Real Estate with finding the perfect vehicle for their third annual car giveaway.
"This is a great event and we love working with Troop. It was great to see the reaction from the winner when we handed her the keys," said Larry Merriman, sales manager for Simi Valley Ford.
Mary and her husband, Jack, are Mustang fans and have owned several. She says if they were going to buy a new car, chances are they would have purchased a Mustang.
Troop Real Estate agents mailed 90,000 entries to Ventura County residents, of which roughly 3,000 were returned. Mary Smith received her entry card from Renee Smith, an agent in Troop's Simi Big Sky branch.
"Mary was one of my first clients. I was thrilled when I learned she was the winner," said Renee Smith.
Mary Smith is adding a few upgrades to her hot new Mustang — leather interior, a spoiler and silver ghost flames.
"My sons Jeff and Steve and my granddaughter Taylor are super excited as well. Taylor can't wait to get picked up from school in Grammy's new car," said Mary Smith.
Simi Valley Ford, Home of the "FordMan," is committed to providing quality and expert service to each and every customer. The dealership is located at 2440 First Street in Simi Valley.
For more information about Simi Valley Ford, call 583-0333.
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2007/sep/15/simi-valley-grandmother-wins-2007-ford-mustang/
Simi Valley resident wins new Mustang via Troop, countywide marketing program
Mary Smith is a blue chip Mustang lover, but the Simi Valley resident won't have to pony up for her latest edition.
That's because Smith received the keys to a sparkling new 2007 Ford Mustang from Brian Troop, president of Troop Real Estate Inc., during ceremonies Sept. 4 at Simi Valley Ford.
Smith, accompanied by her husband, Jack, drove off with the gray metallic Mustang donated by Troop in cooperation with Simi Valley Ford after having her entry drawn from among 10,000 actual entrants from approximately 100,000 prospects who received flyers in a special Troop direct mail marketing campaign. The program generated participation from some 650 Troop agents in 16 Troop offices throughout Ventura County and environs.
Renee Smith (no relation to the recipient), an agent in Troop's Simi Big Sky office, was the host agent who had her mailing submitted by Mary Smith and selected in a drawing by Troop's headquarters staff. The contest was open to entrants at large. Being a Troop client was not required.
"I am totally flabbergasted and excited," Mary Smith said while sliding behind the wheel of her new Mustang. "I really like Mustangs and have had several in the past; I would have bought one if I'd been in the market. Now I don't have to. In fact, when Jack and I were married over 40 years ago, our first car was a 1965 Mustang. Now my 10-year-old granddaughter, Taylor Smith, gets to ride in one too!"
Smith was so pumped with her new pony that she and her husband, who has restored Mustangs, immediately customized their new car, including installing leather interior, a spoiler, and silver "ghost" flame paint accents. "This car will replace my bulky SUV," she said.
"A better person could not have won the car," said Renee Smith. "Mary is the reason I survived my first 5 years of real estate and not only has she been a past client of mine, but continues to refer people to me. I was so excited after I learned Mary had won, I rushed right out to deliver her a teddy bear, a bunch of balloons and a bottle of wine, and showed up at her doorstep to congratulate her personally."
Mary Jo LaLonde, manager of Troop's Simi Big Sky office, said she is "delighted that the winning entry came from her office and is another example of Troop's long-term commitment to give back to the community."
Troop added that "it is particularly gratifying to present the shiny new car to a delightful individual like Mary Smith." He said this is the third consecutive year Troop has given away a vehicle through this program. Joining in the presentation was Larry Merriman, sales manager of Simi Valley Ford, which also presented a car last year.
Mary Smith has been retired for several years after having served as office manager for Simi Valley ophthalmologist Harry Loo.
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2007/sep/15/simi-valley-resident-wins-new-mustang-via-troop/
