This December, the local real estate community and members of the American Red Cross have been busy gathering presents and food certificates to ensure needy families, seniors and the homeless in Los Gatos and Saratoga have a happy holiday. Realtors delivered a total of $3,000 worth of food certificates from Safeway, along with presents and toys, to serve more than 70 families, as well as children from EMQ Children and Family Services, senior citizens and homeless individuals, through St. Luke's.

The long-standing annual program, called Operation Reindeer, was coordinated this year by Jim Magill of Village Square Realty in Los Gatos and Sharon Butler of Pacific Republic Mortgage. Magill also serves on the board of the American Red Cross.

"Giving back to the community doesn't always have to be money or materials. It can also be volunteer efforts like this that put a smile on somebody's face," Magill said. "We work with school nurses to try to make sure we reach needy families, and there is a great deal of satisfaction for all of us involved in giving back to the community."

More than 15 real estate and affiliate companies participated in the program this year and countless individual Realtors and affiliates donated money, purchased gifts and helped get them ready for delivery. Sharon Butler estimates the program reaches more than 300 individuals.

"It's something we've been doing for years in Los Gatos and Saratoga. We work with the schools, churches and the Red Cross. Everyone gets a gift," said Butler, who indicated senior citizens are some of the most needy in the community.

"It's heartbreaking to see them asking for the most basic items, like soap, so it's very heartwarming to be involved in this project. We are considered to be in the lap of luxury here in the middle of Silicon Valley, so it is surprising to find there is such a need and it's pretty sad," Butler said. "Operation Reindeer is a wonderful thing and it makes me proud of the real estate community, who really open their hands and hearts and checkbooks with generosity."

In addition to Operation Reindeer, Realtors from Coldwell Banker also participated in the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program and Operation: One Warm Coat, a program in which clothing and gently used blankets were collected in December. Coldwell Banker offices served as collection centers. Last year, the company contributed 6,300 toys and 1,800 coats.

"For many children, the magic of the holiday season is only a dream," said Chris Trapani, Coldwell Banker Silicon Valley executive vice president. "With the community's help we are able to provide the needy children of our community with a memorable holiday experience."

When the holiday season is over, the giving doesn't stop for members of Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. During the last year, the association's Charitable Foundation gave out more than $65,000 in grants to various nonprofit agencies in Silicon Valley and netted more than $200,000 for charities through Realtor-sponsored events such as Home for the Holidays in Saratoga.

In addition to fundraisers, grants are funded by dues and donations from individual Realtors and affiliates of Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. The foundation's three priorities for grant giving focus on education, children and housing. Its annual scholarship program provides $1,000 grants for 18 graduating seniors in area high schools. This year, the foundation also established a special scholarship in the memory of Realtor Tom Rourke.

In the Los Gatos and Saratoga district, the foundation presented a check to Friends of Vision Literacy, a group that works to improve the literacy skills of adults. The donation goes to fund the selection and enrollment of 20 adults in a yearlong leadership program designed to cultivate new leaders in the literacy program and the community. Local Realtors also coordinated the successful Home for the Holidays fundraiser and donated over $114,000 to the Housing Industry Foundation to help people remain in their homes or rentals when faced with a catastrophic illness or job loss.

With a main focus on affordable housing, the foundation also gave grants to the California Association of Realtors Housing Affordability Fund, Shelter Network, Housing Options for Teachers, and Housing Trust Santa Clara County.