How Elliman Agents Are Giving Back for the Holiday Season
by ELLIMAN INSIDER TEAM
December 2025
During the holiday season, Elliman Insider invited agents at Douglas Elliman to share the ways they are volunteering, donating, and otherwise giving back to their community, from Thanksgiving through the December holidays.
In Boca Raton, Fla., where David Bergstein and his wife have been giving back to local communities throughout the year, the two recently established Friends of Sammy, a 501(c)(3) named after their nearly 18-year-old dog.
“This year we sponsored 12 elementary schools, providing supplies for the kids and teachers, and yesterday was the annual Holiday Toy Drive,” Bergstein said.
“We own properties throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties, and a few of our tenants were firefighters, so we hooked up with the Pompano Fire Benevolent and donated thousands of toys to be handed out by BSO/Pompano Fire and volunteers (including my wife and me) on Christmas morning.
“It is great fun seeing smiles on kids' faces, and we enjoy giving back. Yes, my wife is a force to reckon with, so she had commissioners and volunteers, along with BSO/Firefighters, all helping load up three trucks and vans. Amazing things can happen if everyone just pitches in!”
Brooklyn broker Jack Chiu recently signed a commercial lease with ICNA Relief, “a remarkable nonprofit organization dedicated to serving those in need through its food pantry program. This partnership is more than a transaction—it’s a commitment to uplifting our neighbors and strengthening the bonds of compassion in our community.”
“Every Monday, ICNA Relief opens its doors to distribute dry goods to families who need a helping hand,” Chiu continued. “This holiday season, I’ll be there—not just as a supporter, but also as a servant to the cause—helping ensure that no one goes hungry and that every home feels the warmth of generosity.
“Giving back is a calling, and I believe that blessings multiply when we share them. It’s my honor to stand alongside ICNA Relief and contribute to a mission that reflects the true spirit of humanity: caring for one another.
“If you feel inspired to join us—whether by volunteering your time or offering support—please reach out. Together, we can make this season brighter for those who need it most.”
Paul DeTurris, on Long Island, shared a note to “recognize and sincerely thank one of our agents, Lisa DeTurris, of the Merrick office of DE for her continued generosity and commitment to giving back to those in need.”
“Each year during the holiday season,” he continued, “she organizes a collection to support members of our community who are less fortunate through her church. In addition, she leads an annual back-to-school initiative, collecting funds for book bags and school supplies to help children start the school year prepared and confident.
“These efforts reflect compassion, leadership, and a genuine dedication to service. Her actions make a meaningful difference in the lives of many families and are a wonderful example of the values we strive to uphold both professionally and personally.
“Please join me in expressing our gratitude and appreciation for her ongoing kindness and generosity. With sincere thanks, Paul.”
In New York City, Bushra Pereira is volunteering as a member of a professional choir at St. James Episcopal Church. “I love signing and have been doing so since I was a kid,” she said. “I will be singing on Christmas Eve, a variety of select Christmas songs (not the usual carols) in English, French, and Latin!”
In Weston, Massachusetts, Catherine Bassick chaired an initiative to decorate the Golden Ball Tavern in red, white, and blue for America’s 250th birthday. “It was a great success,” said Bassick. “Watch video here and fast-forward to the middle to see the best part of the decorations!”
On Long Island, The Furino Team led campaign for the Michael Magro Foundation, collecting gift cards and donations for families who have kids battling cancer. The money helps them buy gifts for their kids.
“As a family,” added Michael Furino, “we volunteer every Wednesday at NOSH Delivers, a food pantry in Glen Cove. We help pack and decorate bags of food for families that do not have food for the holidays.
According to Terhi Edwards, the Riverdale office helped to collect 700 toys for children living in shelters in the Bronx.
On Thanksgiving morning, Boston and Vermont agent Mia Parsons is hosting the 19th Annual Zack’s Place Turkey Trot 5K, a fundraiser for the nonprofit her family founded to help people with special needs.
“As much as I would love you all to attend in person, I understand that Woodstock, Vermont, may not be in your Thanksgiving plans,” Parsons says. “But the good news is you can register to do the trot remotely! You can walk, run or jog in your hometown while supporting a good cause.”
In Santa Barbara, Calif., Adam McKaig and his local nonprofit, Adam's Angels, is hosting its Sixth Annual Community Thanksgiving Meal, to be held on Thursday at the First United Methodist Church.
Nearly 100 dedicated volunteers have been preparing to serve over 600 freshly made Thanksgiving meals to members of the Santa Barbara community. The traditional turkey dinner will once again be prepared with the help of PATH, who have generously lent Adam’s Angels their commercial kitchen for the past several years.
As in years past, guests can look forward to live musical performances throughout the day — featuring surprise special guests and led by Musical Director Maitland Ward.
Bay Harbor Islands, Fla.-based agent Kimberly Rodstein volunteers with Joshua‘s Heart Foundation, a Miami Beach-based nonprofit whose founder was four years old when he founded it in 2005. In addition to its regular food distributions on Saturdays, the organization will hold events at their pantry on Wednesday, November 26, and in December ahead of Christmas.
NYC agent Diane Johnson has been delivering Thanksgiving meals for God’s Love We Deliver for nearly 40 years. “I don't think we have missed one in all these years!” Johnson says.
Sandra Ripert, an NYC agent and member of the Patricia Vance Team, has been a longtime supporter of City Harvest, NYC's first and largest food rescue organization.
“For the past 41 years, the Holiday Basket and Adopting Angels program has been a true community effort,” says Aspen agent Blake Greiner of the program that aims to support over 250 families in the region. “I’m proud to have Douglas Elliman involved in such a meaningful cause. These programs provide new gifts and food gift cards to local families in need, from Aspen to Glenwood Springs. Families are referred to the program by local social service agencies.”
Family bags are due at Aspen Chapel Gallery or St. Peter’s Church in Basalt, on Saturday, Dec. 6, or Sunday, Dec. 7, 11:30 AM–5:00 PM. If you prefer to make a monetary donation instead of adopting a family, you can send a check to the address below or donate online at Holiday Baskets, P.O. Box 2192, Basalt, CO 81621
NYC agent McKenzie Ryan is on the board of The Campaign Against Hunger, which has “several acres of urban farms in New York City, and we provide millions of healthy meals to New Yorkers.
Brittany Skotak, principal of the Naples, Fla.-based Skotak Group, is gearing up for the team’s second annual Toy Match Toy Drive at Toy World in Estero at Coconut Point Mall on Saturday, December 6. (see flyer above).
NYC agent Justin Tuinstra has been a “longtime donor of time and money to FeedingNY,” which is now presented by the Global Youth Excellence Leadership (GYEL) program. “We help women-in-need networks throughout Manhattan and Long Island,” he says, putting together boxed meals of turkey and sides for thousands of families.
Boca Raton, Fla.-based agent Jessica Miranda-Lantigua partners with local church Our Lady of the Lakes for its annual Holiday Toy Drive throughout December.
“If any agents or teams are looking for a way to give back this season, we would be incredibly grateful for their support,” she says, offering the following specifics.
What: Donate new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages.
When: Drop-offs are accepted from December 1st through December 20th.
Where: Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Parish, 15801 NW 67th Ave, Miami Lakes, FL 33014, Attn: Rosa Gangi
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