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Todd Gillenwater Named Among AZ Business Leaders

 Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty (Russ Lyon SIR) is proud to announce Todd Gillenwater has been named an AZ Business Leader.

Released annually by AZ Big Media, leaders are selected from a pool of more than 5,000 of the most innovative entrepreneurs and the best and brightest Arizona business leaders in healthcare, real estate, construction, education, baking, financial services, manufacturing, technology and law. Over the course of more than two dozen meetings, that list of 5,000 leaders under consideration was paired down to about 500 names, which the selection panel considered to be the most influential leaders in their industries. 

Prior to his role current role as CEO and co-owner of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, Gillenwater worked as a sales associate, associate broker and managing broker expanding his experience and knowledge in the real estate industry. He founded the Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3), in 2014 and is a part of its Board of Directors overseeing the philanthropic efforts put forth on behalf of the Arizona community.  

Todd has been the cornerstone of the RL Foundation. His foresight and commitment to community service encouraged him to establish our Foundation in 2014 as a vehicle to give all of our associates and employees the opportunity to come together for the benefit of each of the communities we serve.

Deems Dickinson, President and Designated Broker

To see the full list of the AZ Business Leaders, click here.

January 15, 2021 by
Community, Inspiration

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Recognized by Phoenix Business Journal For Significant 2019 Arizona Charitable Contributions

The Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation, a subsidiary of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, is proud to be recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal for its notable monetary contributions and impressive volunteer programs from 2019.

For more than 70 years the agents and employees of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty have been involved in community service work and charitable organizations throughout Arizona. Inspired by the generosity and service work of numerous agents, the Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation was formed in 2014 and operates through every office within the company and across Arizona. The Foundation’s Board of Directors includes nine members with an Advisory Council comprised of representatives from each Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty office. 

The Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation was ranked #13 for the Largest Phoenix-Area Corporate Volunteer Programs with over 3,750 volunteer hours in 2019, which included the volunteer hours by sales associates and employees during various charitable activities.   

One of the primary goals of the Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation is to provide valuable and meaningful service work within Arizona communities, as well as charitable investments. Within each Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty office there is a team of Volunteer Corps also known as V-Corps. V-Corps are comprised of agents, employees and management that volunteer their time together to provide help for those in need. Over the past six years, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty agents have volunteered hundreds of hours to communities across Arizona.

The Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation was also ranked #21 for the Largest Phoenix-Area Corporate Philanthropists, contributing over $108,000 to Arizona charities in 2019.

Since the Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation began more than $500,000 in donations have gone to dozens of 501c3 Arizona-based charitable organizations through direct donations, service work, sponsorships, matching funds and fundraisers. 100 percent of Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation’s donations and charitable investments are directed to charitable organizations. 

The Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation strives to improve lives and communities of those in need while spreading compassion and kindness within our state. We are very grateful to be in a position to give back and have the ability to assist organizations that provide essential resources to communities and individuals in dire need.

Todd Gillenwater, CEO of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and Founder of the Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation. 
January 7, 2021 by
Art, Business, Community, COVID-19, Entertainment, Inspiration, Real Estate

Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation Partners with Arizona Association of REALTORS to Sell T-Shirts and Raise Funds to Benefit Arizona Housing Fund

The Love Your Neighbor T-Shirt Sales Start Monday, May 4th

The Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation, a subsidiary of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, is partnering with the Arizona Association of REALTORS to raise money for the Arizona Housing Fund. The sales start Monday, May 4th, and only runs through Monday, May 18th, 2020. 

The Love Your Neighbor t-shirts are being produced by local Tempe business Anton Sport and just $20.

They are available online at https://russlyon.antonsport.com/russlyon/shop/home. 

All the proceeds benefit the AZ Housing Fund. The Arizona Housing (AZHF) is a dedicated and sustainable revenue source that grants funding to the nonprofit agencies that build and operate Permanent Supportive, Low-Income and Working Poor Housing. Its equity grants will enable more housing units to be constructed, meeting the growing needs of our communities in Arizona with the goal of reducing homelessness.

For every shirt or onesie ordered the Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation will donate $10 to the Arizona Housing Fund. 

There has never been a more important time for everyone to come together and support the Arizona Housing Fund. This foundation gives families a fighting chance to stay in their homes and helps others find housing.

Betsy Dickinson, president of the russ lyon charitable foundation
May 4, 2020 by
Business, Community, Entertainment

Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation Sits Down with David Johnson

The Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation had the opportunity to sit down for a Q and A with Arizona Cardinals star Running Back, David Johnson, about his upcoming Mission 31: POSSIBLE event hosted by the David Johnson Mission Foundation.

We understand you started the Mission 31 foundation this year, what inspired you to start it?

The Foundation came from wanting to have a positive impact on children’s lives. Growing up my coaches, teachers, and older mentors played a huge role in my life. That is why I went to college to become a Physical Education/Health teacher with a minor in coaching. My intentions were to better children’s lives mentally, physically, and emotionally. Just like my role models did for me. My wife, Meghan, and I would volunteer at children’s hospital and Ronald McDonald House. We loved the experience we had with the children, seeing them smile and get excited was an amazing feeling. Meghan has always wanted to work on an oncology unit for children. She went to nursing school and her dream job was to work at St. Jude’s children’s hospital in Tennessee. She has a huge passion to help children as well. This Foundation combines our passions in to one amazing cause.

 

How did you come up the name Mission 31? 

We wanted to incorporate my jersey number in the title. Then, we wanted a short but powerful word/phrase that would speak to others. One definition of the word “Mission” is the calling of a religious organization, especially a Christian one, to go out into the world and spread its faith. Meghan and I felt that the meaning fits our morals and what we want to do with the platform God has given us.

Why is this cause so near and dear to your heart?

When our son, DJ, was born he spent 5 days in the nursery/NICU. We were hopeful he would be okay, but as first-time parents we were still very scared. When you see your baby in pain like that you never want to go through something like that ever again. We constantly think about all the other families who have it worse than we did, and whose children have diseases and cancer and their hospital stays are much longer. We want to be able to bring some kind of relief to families when they are dealing with such a stressful time.

 

Tell us about your December Mission 31 Possible event that’s coming up.

The event on December 4th will be at the newly remodeled Mountain Shadows resort. Guests will have the chance to mix and mingle with me and my Cardinals teammates. Beginning at 6:30 supporters and fans will enjoy a cocktail reception full of silent auction items followed by the main event where they will enjoy world class cuisine, fine wine, and exciting live auctions all to benefit my David Johnson Mission 31 Foundation whose mission is to provide opportunities, support, and resources to seriously ill children and their families by offering daily support and life changing experiences. If you can’t attend the event, you can also donate on the website at davidjohnson31.org.

 

How will the money raised the Mission 31: Possible event be used? 

The money will be focused towards launching DJ’s Locker. These Lockers will provide patients and their family members access to electronics during hospital stays. They serve as a source of entertainment, a portal for communication and a diversion during treatment and recovery.

November 30, 2017 by