Bettendorf REALTOR® Jon Yocum Receives Good Neighbor Award from the Iowa Association of REALTORS®

CLIVE, IA (11/10/2010)(readMedia)-- The Iowa Association of REALTORS® (IAR) congratulates Bettendorf REALTOR® Jon Yocum as the 2010 Good Neighbor Award winner. The IAR made the announcement at its Annual Awards Luncheon held this fall in Dubuque.

The Good Neighbor Award recognizes REALTOR® members in Iowa that are helping to make positive changes in their communities by reaching out to people in need.

Yocum is a REALTOR® at Mel Foster Co. in Bettendorf and was nominated for his work with the Student Built Home Program. The program is sponsored by the Quad City Area REALTOR® Association in cooperation with the Quad Cities Home Builders Association, Scott Community College, Davenport and North Scott Community School Districts, lenders, business leaders, vendors, merchants and media.

The Student Built Home Program helps high school students learn the skills to build a home, which they may use in a future career. Since 1999, hundreds of high schools students have participated in the program, which has produced 11 homes ranging from $200,000 - $300,000. Proceeds go toward scholarships for participating students.

Yocum helped to restart this program in 1998 and has provided leadership for the program for the past 12 years. He works closely with multiple school district staff, area vendors, builders, electricians, plumbers and students.

"Jon has donated hundreds of hours and helped raise thousands of dollars for this one-of-a-kind program," says Kurt Schade, president of the Iowa Association of REALTORS®. "His efforts have helped shape and lead the program, making a positive difference in the lives of hundreds of young people."

"This program has given more than $90,000 in scholarships and tool vouchers to participating students over the years, in addition to giving the school districts involved several thousands of dollars to offset the student expense of the program," explains Yocum. "It's exciting to see the students show off their completed project to their parents at our year-end celebration and scholarship award night."

Yocum is also very involved in his community with the Habitat Home Project sponsored by the Quad City Area REALTOR® Association and the McCausland Methodist Church, where he's a member.

Joanne Mangold of Altoona, Pam Schell-Cloyd of Ottumwa and Judy Clingman of Ottumwa received Good Neighbor Award Honorable Mention this year. Additional REALTOR® member nominees recognized include: Marian Arens, Cedar Rapids; Carol Foht, Dubuque; Peg Hingtgen, Dubuque; Barbara Suehl-Janis, Fulton, IL; Lucky Lang, Davenport; Marcia Munger, Clive; and Patti Ryan, Oskaloosa.

The Iowa Association of REALTORS® is the state's largest real estate professional organization, representing more than 6,700 members and affiliates. The term REALTOR® is a registered and protected trademark. A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, the State Association of REALTORS® and their local Board of REALTORS®. By joining the REALTOR® organization, a real estate professional has to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and its standards of professionalism, integrity and competence.