At Stark Company Realtors, giving back is a year-round thing! Our real estate agents and staff donate time and resources to several nonprofits throughout Southern Wisconsin. Here are just a few of the organizations our team has supported throughout the year. If you'd like to join forces, I'd love to connect.

• Ronald McDonald House of Madison - 2716 Marshall Ct., Madison, WI 53705
  Ronald McDonald House was the recipient of this year's Stark Community Classic Golf Outing fundraiser. This organization provides a place for families to stay together with their hospitalized children. About once a month, Stark agents and staff volunteer to prepare meals for the families staying at Ronald McDonald House. Want to join us? Contact me! Or visit their website to learn about other volunteer opportunities. 
   
• OWN IT: Building Black Wealth - 2012 Fisher St., Madison, WI 53713
  Through a partnership with One City Schools, who were the recipients of last year's Stark Community Classic Golf Outing fundraiser, OWN IT works to empower, educate and guide Black and brown families in building wealth through education and home ownership. Several Stark agents are OWN IT Ambassadors, donating a portion of each of their closing commissions to OWN IT's down payment fund. The fund provides grants of $15,000 for families to use toward the purchase of their first home. You can become a part of this progress by learning more about the program or donating to the down payment fund here.
  
  
• United Way of Dane County - 2059 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI 53704
  The goal of United Way of Dane County is to "unite the community to achieve measurable results and change lives." Our founder, Paul E. Stark was one of the founding members of United Way of Dane County. Generations of Starks have served on various United Way boards and committees, and many Stark agents and staff donate to the organization through our annual giving campaign. Visit their website to see all of the ways your donations impact the lives of people in our community.
  
  
• Habitat for Humanity of Dane County - 6201 Odana Rd., Madison, WI 53719; Habitat for Humanity of Wisconsin River Area - 1211 8th St., Baraboo, WI 53913
  Habitat for Humanity builds homes and provides shelter for area families who might otherwise be unable to secure stable, safe housing. Volunteer opportunities include helping out on home builds and working in one of their Habitat ReStore thrift shops. Volunteer with Habitat and you may find yourself alongside a Stark agent, as a few of us serve on the Boards of our local Habitat organizations along with working hands-on to build homes.      

These are just some of the amazing places to donate your time and resources during the holiday season. For even more ways to give back, consider these nonprofits as well.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County - 2059 Atwood Ave. #2, Madison, WI 53704
  It's been said that it takes a village to raise a child, and that concept is beautifully illustrated through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County. This long-standing organization, which has been operating nationally for more than a century, works to help children reach their full potential.
  
  
• Madison Reading Project - 1337 Greenway Cross, Suite 186, Madison, WI 53713
  Help to nurture young minds by giving them access to the wonderful world of books. Madison Reading Project promotes education and literacy through programs such as Big Red Reading Bus and My First Pages. Their annual Community Book Drive, which provides kids with new books for the holidays, is happening now through December 8th. 
  
  
• JustDane - 128 E. Olin Ave., Suite 202, Madison, WI 53713
  Show gratitude by paying it forward. JustDane provides second chances for individuals re-entering society from the criminal justice system, as well as support for children of incarcerated parents. Their initiatives include Just Bakery, a vocational training program for persons experiencing significant barriers to employment. You can order pies, muffins and other holiday treats from Just Bakery on their website. 

Is viewing Madison open houses on your holiday schedule? Get in touch with us at Stark Homes for up-to-the-minute information.