“We will contribute our time and resources to making our local communities better places in which to live.”

This is the core value of social responsibility at the Gene B. Glick Company. And it’s a value the Glick team takes to heart.

In 2017, the Gene B. Glick Company and Glick Philanthropies established the Glick Cares Volunteer Awards.

These awards were created to recognize a Gene B. Glick employee and a property that go above and beyond in helping fulfill the core value of social responsibility.

The inaugural winners are individual winner Alex Freeman, a Glick Company marketing specialist, and property winner Cambridge Square Lauderdale Lakes.

With the recognition comes a monetary gift for the winners to give to a non-profit organization of their choice.

“It is a huge honor to win this award,” Freeman said. “Giving back has always been a passion of mine and was one of the main reasons why I wanted to work for the Glick Company. What has meant the most to me is seeing our volunteer group, Glick Cares, grow from a handful of people to a group of more than 90 employees, along with their families and friends, joining together to give back.”

He was nominated by Glick Director of Compliance Susan Calhoun.

“Alex has always been the volunteer king,” Calhoun said. “He has a really big heart and helps others without the expectation of applause or praise. He just does it because that’s who he is.”

Freeman chose to give his donation to the Serving Others’ Needs (SON) Foundation, an organization that provides affordable housing and support to patients going through cancer treatments as well as their families and caregivers.

“It hits home personally for me,” Alex said. “I watched as my wife’s uncle, Randy Reynolds, went through an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer and the toll that it took on him, his wife Kathy and the entire family. But through those tough times, the SON Foundation was there and allowed him to enjoy time with his family in the comfort of a home environment. It gave him something no other organization was able to do — having the love and support of his family around him during a difficult journey.”

“This money means so much to the SON Foundation,” said Executive Director Denise Jacobson. “It allows us to continue to serve guests during a very stressful time in their lives. We can give them a safe and comfortable place to stay, which eases just one of the many burdens of a cancer diagnosis.”

“I know Mr. Glick had such a passion and desire to give back,” Freeman said. “And I feel the SON Foundation is like the Glick Company by providing affordable housing to people in times of need.”

Cambridge Square Lauderdale Lakes Property Manager Rae Ezzo also gave her property’s award donation with Mr. Glick and the Glick Company values in mind.

“We selected the Lauderdale Lakes Alzheimer’s Care Center as the recipient of our donation in memory of Mr. Glick, who suffered with the disease,” Ezzo said. “I have volunteered at the center with Bella, my therapy dog, and I know first-hand how important it is for the caregivers of someone with Alzheimer’s to have a place where they can bring their loved ones for the day while they get a chance to have some time for themselves.”

“Rae takes a lot of pride in her community by the things she does for her residents,” said Glick Compliance Manager Rita Gilbert. “Rae and her staff have worked very hard to make the property one the residents can be proud of and truly call home.”

“I like to believe Mr. Glick is resting in peace, knowing we are taking care of his properties, the residents and the people of the community,” Ezzo said. “I always want him to be proud of our accomplishments.”