With nursing home residents unable to receive visitors, agents in Spencer are writing them personal, hand-written letters to let them know that they haven’t been forgotten during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week, five agents wrote letters to the 28 residents of Lincoln Hill Manor in Spencer. They are now completing letters to the 147 residents of the Quaboag Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center in West Brookfield, which Spencer Manager Linda Laney expects to deliver this week.
“Some residents may get more calls and mail than others,” Linda said, “so we’ve asked the staff to distribute them as they feel appropriate.”
She is distributing colorful stationary to agents, so that residents will receive letters that will help to “brighten their day.”
Photos are of letters written by agents and a thank you card from staff and residents of Lincoln Hill Manor.
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Realtor Linda Abrams with rolls of donated toilet paper.
A lesson the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us is that there’s at least one thing made from paper that’s even better than money – toilet paper. 
That’s why agents in the Milford office donated 10 cases of toilet paper – that’s 760 rolls, or about 760,000 sheets of TP – to the Milford Daily Food Pantry this week.
“When Covid-19 pandemic began, we reached out to the Food Pantry to ask how we could help,” Donna Arthur, a Realtor in the Milford office said. “Cheryl DeAngelo, the pantry manager, said the only item she could not find anywhere was toilet paper, so that was her ask.”
The ERA Key Realty Charitable Trust Foundation funded the purchase and Milford agents worked their spheres of influence to fill the order.
Pictured, left to right, are Milford Realtors Lynne Castiglione, Donna Arthur, Linda Abrams and Sharon O'Reilly.
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The Auburn office supports local agencies, such as Auburn Youth and Family Services.
The Auburn office of ERA Key Realty Services has donated $2,000 to area food pantries and family service agencies. 
Through the ERA Key Realty Charitable Trust Foundation, Auburn agents donated $500 each to the Oxford Ecumenical Food Shelf, Leicester Food Pantry and Webster-Dudley Food Share, Inc. They donated $250 each to Auburn Youth and Family Services, and St. Denis Food Pantry in Douglas.
“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact not only on the health of many Americans, but on our economy,” said Auburn Manager Bryan Davis. “Millions of Americans are losing their jobs and those who were already struggling are being hurt the most. No one should be going hungry today. Through the generosity of our agents, we’re providing a helping hand.”
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The Whitinsville office of ERA Key Realty Services has donated $1,500 worth of meals to first responders and medical personnel to help them get through the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Through the ERA Key Realty Charitable Trust Foundation, Whitinsville agents sent $500 to Jumbo Donuts in Whitinsville and Uxbridge, $500 to Harry’s Pizza in Whitinsville and $500 to Gregory’s Pizza in Douglas to feed first responders and medical personnel who show proper identification.
An additional $800 was donated to the Northbridge Food Pantry and Peace of Bread in Whitinsville to ensure that needy people living in the area are fed.
“First responders are sacrificing a great deal and putting themselves in harm’s way to protect us,” said Whitinsville agent Laura Hebb. “This is our way of showing them our appreciation and support."
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The Marlborough Office of ERA Key Realty Services has donated $1,000 to purchase meals for first responders in Hudson and Marlborough in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through the ERA Key Realty Charitable Trust Foundation, Marlborough co-chairs Donna Coffin and Aura Gauthier sent $500 each to Stevie’s Back Road Cafe and Catering in Hudson and Chill Kitchen and Bar in Marlborough.
“It’s with great appreciation and gratitude for our first responders in Marlborough and Hudson that ERA Key’s Marlborough office has engaged Stevie’s Back Road Café and the Chill Kitchen and Bar to ensure that they are well fed throughout the pandemic,” Donna and Aura said. 
In addition to Donna and Aura, members of the charitable trust committee in Marlborough include Jennifer Barrile, Deanna Blais, Wendy Butler, Tami Dome, Heather Everett, Robin Frank, Donna Holmes, Amy Katsis, James Majors, Debbie McCormack, Tracy McGrath, Richard Rastani, David Skarin, Zenaide Swenson, Tracy Hatfield, Kevin Harris and Jeff Taylor.
“We are very fortunate to not only have great real estate agents that serve our surrounding communities, but also very generous agents who are able to give and make a difference in those same communities,” said Marlborough Manager Kevin Harris. “One of ERA Key's core values is giving back to our community. It’s gratifying to see so many of our agents...
Agents in the Milford office of ERA Key Realty Services donated a car-full of food from Dunkin’ Donuts as a thank-you to Milford firefighters and to workers in the emergency room at the Milford Regional Medical Center.
“First responders need our support and we’re glad to help,” said Milford agent Sharon O’Reilly. “They have little time to get away, so we brought a little sustenance to them.”
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The Framingham office of ERA Key Realty Services is sponsoring $600 worth of meals from area restaurants for uniformed first responders during the COVID19 pandemic, and donating $900 to area charities.
Through the ERA Key Realty Charitable Trust Foundation, Framingham agents donated $300 in meals from Jack’s Abbey in Framingham and $300 from Arturo’s in Westborough. 
“We appreciate our first responders, who are putting themselves on the front lines today and every day,” said Framingham Manager Ali Corton. “Thank you all! Stay well and healthy!”
The Framingham office also approved $300 for Daniel’s Table in Framingham, which provides food security for needy people; $300 for Project Just Because, Inc. of Hopkinton, which helps families in need, and $300 for Family Promise Metrowest of Natick, which provides shelter, education and other support for homeless families.
Agents in the Framingham office are long-time supporters of Daniel's Table, top, and Family Promise Metrowest, right.
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Mark Bigelow of Marlborough has joined ERA Key Realty Services as a Realtor in the Marlborough office.
Mark is also a Finance Manager for C&J Clark America Inc., Waltham. Before that, he was a Senior Financial Analyst for TJMaxx.com in Framingham. He also worked in other positions for TJX Companies, including as a Senior Financial Accountant for The Marmaxx Group.
Before that, he was a staff accountant for Champion Exposition Services in Middleborough. He began his career as an Accounts Receivable Specialist for The Princeton Review in Framingham, after earning his bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers.
“The training ERA Key is providing, combined with my experience in finance, is helping me jumpstart my career in real estate,” Mark said. “ERA Key is one of the area’s top real estate agencies and I’m looking forward to working with the team in the Marlborough office.”
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