Category: Event

On Saturday, April 15, a group from Water Pointe Realty Group spent the morning volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Martin County. The volunteers were able to work alongside future homeowners and bring life to what will soon be their new homes.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that believes affordable housing is a basic human right and aims to provide opportunities for local families in need. Habitat for Humanity has been operating in Martin County for more than 30 years with a mission to build homes, communities, and hope. It is making a real difference in the lives of many by helping them achieve stability and security, a crucial part of overall well-being.

In honor of Water Pointe’s 20^th anniversary, the firm wanted to celebrate by giving back to the community in a hands-on way. Brokers, agents, staff, and friends came together at Habitat for Humanity’s new housing project in Hobe Sound, Florida. The day was filled with moving materials and painting, as well as an immense amount of gratitude. Volunteers were educated on everything that goes into these housing projects – from the application process all the way until move-in day for the families.

“We couldn’t be happier to have had the opportunity to partner with a group like Water Pointe,” said Mike Readling, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Martin County. “We depend on community partners like Water Pointe to be able to create affordable housing in Martin County and help low-income families make a better, more secure life for themselves. I look forward to this being the first step in a long relationship between Habitat for Humanity of Martin County and Water Pointe.”

As part of Habitat’s commitment to ensuring the long-term success of its homeowners, future candidates have the opportunity to participate in the organization’s Mentor Program. They are paired with a seasoned mentor who guides them in completing a budget and supports them as they navigate the path to homeownership.

Future Habitat homeowners also attend homeowner education workshops designed to equip them with the necessary knowledge to maintain their homes and manage their finances responsibly. These workshops cover a range of topics including home maintenance, budgeting, and credit management.

By participating in both the Mentor Program and homeowner education workshops, future Habitat homeowners are set up for success and empowered to take control of their financial future.

Habitat for Humanity relies on the support of volunteers, donors, and partners to achieve its mission. Volunteers play a crucial role in building homes, providing support services, and raising awareness about the organization. The efforts in Martin County have been incredibly successful with over 100 homes built since its inception. This has helped many families achieve their dream of owning a safe & affordable place to live, with a focus on energy efficiency and sustainability.

“Without volunteers we wouldn’t be able to do what we do,” said Debb Fertal, Volunteer Coordinator/Faith Relations Liaison. “Our volunteers give their love, time, and talents to help provide affordable housing for Habitat families.”

The hashtag #waterpointehelps is used on Water Pointe Realty Group’s social media to highlight how its agents & staff give back to the community in many ways.

“As Realtors®, we promote homeownership and understand the value and benefits to the families as well as to the community,” said Dave Derrenbacker, Founding Broker/Owner of Water Pointe. “Purchasing and owning a home not only results in a pride of ownership, but also the financial benefits of equity and wealth creation. It is a privilege for Water Pointe to be a small part in helping these deserving families build the American Dream of home ownership.”

If you are interested in supporting Habitat for Humanity of Martin County, please click HERE to learn more on how to get involved.

Water Pointe Realty Group congratulates Andi Stapels, Realtor® on the success of her first fundraiser: Fall for a Vet. This event took place on Saturday, November 5, 2022, and benefitted the Florida Veterans Foundation.

Veterans hold a special place in Andi’s heart, as her late father was a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. She chose the Florida Veterans Foundation as the beneficiary of this event because it helps veterans in times of crisis. The FVF serves as the statewide lead organization for Florida veterans and their families by providing direct services to improve their physical, financial, mental, emotional, and social well-being. The foundation does this by partnering with state and local governments, veteran service organizations, and educational institutions.

Don Lanman, VP Chairman of the Florida Veterans Foundation, and his wife Karen both attended the event, which took place at Manero’s Restaurant in Palm City. Andi knows the owner personally, and when she mentioned her idea to do a fundraiser he didn’t even hesitate to offer his help. The restaurant was packed all night long.

Other local businesses also showed their support by donating baskets for the event including Woof Gang Bakery for Dogs, John Pinkley with Compass Mortgage, Law Office of Rick Kozell, Water Pointe Realty Group, and gift cards from other establishments who donated such as Maya’s Mexican Grill & Bar, Olympic Taverna, Kilwin’s, Townie’s Tavern, and April Daze Boutique.

“I was really honored to be a part of the foundation, and I am so excited to start another fundraiser,” said Andi Stapels.

With an initial goal of raising $1,000.00, Andi was able to raise a total of $2,286.00 for the Florida Veterans Foundation. The foundation organized two 50/50 raffles for the evening – one for the early birds and another for those who attended later in the evening. One of the raffle winners was kind enough to donate their winnings back to the FVF.  To learn more about how you can help, contact Andi Stapels at 772-444-2634 or Andi@WaterPointe.com.

Caring Fields Felines is one of many local nonprofits that Water Pointe Realty Group supports.

Located on 5 acres of wooded property in Palm City is Caring Fields Felines — a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization.

This agency is a no-kill rescue & adoption organization on a mission to reduce the number of homeless felines in Martin County and surrounding areas. Established in 2000 with 30 cats and a handful of volunteers, today this sanctuary is home to more than 175 cats with over 50 volunteers working to keep things running smoothly.

Caring Fields Felines is about CATS:
C aring Fields Sanctuary provides a natural, yet protected environment for more than 175 cats.
A doptions: Caring Fields Felines found forever homes for over 400 cats last year.
T NVR: Trap-Neuter-Vaccine-Return program successfully helps control the feral cat population.
S pay/Neuter: Each year, CFF spays & neuters hundreds of cats.

At Caring Fields Felines there is a major emphasis is on CARING. Seven staff members and a team of dedicated volunteers take care of everything from feeding & socializing the cats to keeping the facilities clean, comfortable, and safe 365 days a year. In some cases, CFF looks out for animals from beginning to end. While the goal is to help all “residents” find a loving forever home, there are some that will spend the rest of their days at the sanctuary. No matter what, they are truly well cared for in a loving home.

The residents live in a protected, free-roaming environment complete with cottages they can utilize whenever they want. There are plenty of areas to climb, spots to nap in the sunshine, and safe places to harbor them from the elements. Each building throughout the safe amp protected campgrounds serves a special purpose, including:
– Lisa’s Safe Haven, a colorful cottage reserved for cats diagnosed with leukemia and feline immune virus.
– The Cattery is home to adoptable cats and kittens, including some with special needs.
– New neo natal nursery that has enabled CFF to save so many more kittens.

Cats come to Caring Fields Felines from various sources and all walks of life. Many are given to CFF directly from shelters that practice euthanasia in an effort to spare their lives. The organization works closely with a shelter in Okeechobee as well as shelters in Palm Beach County. Volunteers pick them up from Animal Control, kitten litters rescued from outdoor colonies, or owners are unable to care for them any longer.

Efforts to control the feral cat problem in the community includes CFF’s Trap-Neuter-Vaccine-Return (TNVR) program. Not only does this successfully diminish the number of homeless cats, but also improves the health and wellbeing of the cat community as a whole. Operation Catsnip through CFF offers low-cost or no-cost services that have spayed/neutered over 4000 cats across the Treasure Coast.

Connect with Caring Fields Felines: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK PAGE | YOUTUBE CHANNEL

“Watching the organization grow since I’ve been involved over more than a decade has been very gratifying,” said Katherine Goodman, Realtor® with Water Pointe Realty Group. Katherine dedicates much of her free time to Caring Fields Felines by volunteering at events, selling properties that have been donated to CFF, and assisting with trapping/transporting/adoptions. She was even the Realtor® who helped locate and close on CFF’s current 5-acre property. Katherine also loves working the various fundraising events throughout the year.

One of Caring Fields Felines’ major fundraisers is its baby shower for kittens. People bring food and other supplies to donate while also getting to coo & cuddle (and hopefully adopt) the cats and kittens. “I love the annual Kitten Shower,” Goodman said. “It’s so wonderful to see so many people excited to find a new furry family member and watch them leave with their new baby! Whether it’s an adult or a kid- they’re all beaming!

Another fundraiser that CFF organizes is its holiday event Merry Meows. Goodman typically works check-in for the event with the same gals and many of the same folks return each year. “The cottages where the resident cats live are all dressed up with twinkling lights and it’s just magical,” she said. Although the event has not taken place in the last 2 years due to COVID-19, Goodman reports that online fundraising is still going strong.

While the services offered by Caring Fields Felines are vital, they are made possible solely by the generosity of donors. CFF receives no state, federal, or local financial aid. Any donations you make to CFF help provide the necessary food, medical, and housing requirements for residents so that they may live peacefully at the sanctuary until they are adopted. Click HERE to make a donation and click HERE to become a Cat-A-List monthly sponsor.

Caring Fields Felines is located at 6807 SW Wedelia Terrace, Palm City, FL and can be reached by phone at 772-463-7386.

Some information has been attributed to articles published by TCPalm.

Cleveland Clinic Martin Health Foundation in Port St. Lucie, Florida hosted the annual Chrysanthemum Ball, also known as, The Mum Ball, on Saturday, November 13, 2021.  It was held this year at Atlantic Point Marina & Yacht Club. The Mum Ball theme this year was Nobody Does it Better.

And nobody knows better than the community that Martin Health serves. One Water Pointe hashtag you will often see is #WaterPointeHelps. The Realtors® of Water Pointe Realty Group are passionate about their community, because “They know it. They LIVE it!” and they look for every opportunity to get involved and give back. Agents Sara Rittersbach, Debra Duvall, and Rosi Schroeder, all committee members of the Chrysanthemum Ball, donned their best Bond Girl gowns to provide vital support for the Cleveland Clinic Martin Health Foundation while enjoying a wonderful evening of entertainment and fine cuisine amongst other supporters.

Funds raised from the Mum Ball will benefit the Cleveland Clinic Florida Research and Innovation Center.  Established in November 2019, the center focuses on translational vaccines and immunotherapies to advance therapies in the areas of cancer, neuroscience, infectious disease and allergies

“Community service and philanthropy is at the heart of who we are at Water Pointe Realty Group, and these three remarkable women are true leaders in the community,” says Water Pointe Managing Broker, Bill Dean.

Water Pointe Realty Group is proud to welcome Jana Burnette as its newest agent!

Jana was born and raised in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of NY and while she has called many different towns home, she says she hasn’t found any that compare in beauty to her hometown until landing in the Stuart area. Jana, her husband, and their two children, relocated here 8 years ago from Michigan and feel like they have found paradise.

Prior to Real Estate, Jana was in the medical field and her passion for helping people made this an easy transition. She looks forward to helping you find your perfect home.

Always an advocate for her community no matter where she lands, Jana is fervent about being of service. Her many volunteer activities include:

-Representative, Stony Point Peninsula Board of Directors, Newport, MI
-Member, Jefferson School District Strategic Planning Committee
-Member, Jefferson School District Recreation Advisory Committee
-Volunteer, CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocate for Abused and Neglected Children, Monroe County, MI
-Volunteer, DVERT – Domestic Violence Emergency Response Team, Monroe, MI
-Volunteer, God Works Community Meals, Monroe, MI
-Member, North Elementary PTO, Newport, MI
-Board Member, Palm City Dolphins, Palm City, FL
-Board Member, Jensen Beach High School Football Booster Club
-Member, Hidden Oaks Middle School PTO
-Member, Hidden Oaks Middle School Student Advisory Council
-Member, Jensen Beach High School PTO

Jana is based out of Water Pointe’s Willoughby office in Stuart. She can be reached directly at 734-777-8206 or Jana@WaterPointe.com.

Water Pointe Realty Group is proud to welcome four new Realtors® to the firm’s Jupiter/Tequesta office: Kristen Danzig, Bea Desroches, Paige Pierce, and Holly Powell.

About Bea Desroches
Bea Desroches had an opportunity to make life lasting connections with people and sample different architectural styles through education and the experience of living across Europe. Since she moved to Florida, she has followed trends in local and surrounding housing markets. Working in the construction industry and having years of interest in worldwide properties, make her an asset in real estate.

Bea works with full commitment and utmost care. Her biggest satisfaction is seeing the client’s happiness and knowing that her help has made the difference in giving them the best possible value. She focuses on making the transaction process smooth, clear and concise so her clients can make the best conscious decisions. Bea uses latest creative techniques for marketing properties and specific database search tools.

When Bea is done helping make your real estate goals come true, she gratefully spends time with her family. Her big dream is to set the sails one day across the ocean.

About Kristen Danzig
With over 15 years of experience, Kristen Danzig has established herself as a consistent top producing Realtor® in the oceanfront communities of Jupiter, Juno Beach, Hobe Sound, North Palm Beach, and Tequesta.

Kristen is known for providing outstanding personal service. She listens carefully to her clients and tailors the sales experience to their preferred level of involvement. Her knowledge and insight provide a keen look at the marketplace, empowering her clients and adding value to real estate investments. In listing a property, she takes a creative approach. Kristen and her team develop a marketing strategy that blends art, technology, and data to create an engaging connection between your home and prospective buyers. Her work experience in architecture and interior design helps identify the details that matter to optimize the outcome.

Kristen has earned the designations of Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist and Certified Short Sale and Foreclosure Specialist. Throughout her sales in residential, land and commercial property, Kristen’s top priority is to provide her clients with exceptional service. She is dedicated and treasures continued relationships built along the way. She is a member of the Juno Beach Civic Association, 100+ Women Who Care, the Institute of Luxury Home Marketing, and the Million Dollar Guild.

About Paige Pierce
Paige Pierce was raised in the Stuart area of Martin County and grew up loving the South Florida lifestyle. She now lives in the Jupiter area with her husband and young son, and is enjoying living in and learning about another community near her hometown.

Growing up in the area, she participated in community volunteering events, became involved with local organizations, and in her spare time took advantage of the beautiful outdoors to scuba dive and go fishing with her father. With local knowledge and an appreciation for what South Florida has to offer, she is excited to share her insight to the real estate market with anyone who is interested in selling their current house or looking for their dream home. She believes in making the extra effort for her clients and building strong relationships with them.

Paige also has a background in design and décor, which she looks forward to applying in her career as a real estate professional. She has an eye for detail and an affinity for helping people find exactly what they want and looks forward to helping her clients with all their real estate service needs.

About Holly Powell
Holly Powell has had a long and successful career as a real estate professional. She is a top-producing, high-end waterfront sales specialist serving the areas of Palm Beach, Jupiter, Hobe Sound, and Stuart. Holly has also managed and leased commercial and residential properties in South Florida, closed sales transactions for a title company, and spent ten years appraising with a local MAI appraisal firm.

Holly is a graduate of Florida State University. She and her husband, Brad, are natives of the Palm Beaches and currently reside in Tequesta. Brad, her stepson Mark, and daughter Ashley all graduated from the University of Florida.

The Powell family has always enjoyed boating, diving, snow skiing, hiking, golf and travel. They participate in local and worldwide outreach programs through their churches as a family. Holly overbounds with invaluable real estate and local knowledge. Don’t hesitate to contact her if you want the best in real estate service.

Water Pointe Realty Group is excited to welcome Andi Stapels as the newest agent at its Sewall’s Point office!

Originally from the Great Lake State of Michigan, Andi graduated from Baker College with a degree in American Sign Language. She performed in multiple school districts as a sign language interpreter through the years and eventually found her way into residential real estate. In 2014, Andi and her family relocated to Florida to look for better career opportunities.

Since her arrival in Florida, Andi has spent the last five years working as a full-time real estate professional. She has adapted well to her new community and has quickly earned the trust of the many buyers and sellers with whom she has worked. As an experienced, multi-million dollar producing agent, Andi has shown her true skills of being genuine, trustworthy, knowledgeable, and professional. She has proven herself to have the skills to bring any transaction home.

Having recently experienced the relocation process and having spent time living in both St. Lucie and Martin counties, Andi has a unique perspective on the house hunting process. Now an empty nester with two kids in college and her husband Mark of 24 years, Andi is very self-motivated! Wanting to take her real estate career to a new level, she joined Water Pointe Realty Group as the first step in that process.

Andi & Mark live in Palm City where she is active in the community as well as Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Her favorite pastime is enjoying her friends and family while boating on our beautiful coastal waters.

Andi truly believes that attitude determines your altitude.

Water Pointe Realty Group is proud to introduce Beth Eaton-Cafarelli as a new Realtor® to the firm.

Beth has lived, worked, and raised her family here since 1982. She is an area expert on healthcare having worked with the local healthcare system since 1984.

Beth brings her strong business acumen to Water Pointe Realty Group with a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management as well as a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, and excels at structuring deals between clients and respective buyers/sellers. Having multiple certifications in quality and process improvement, she has the ability to identify problems and structure solutions that result in a successful transaction.

Beth also holds expertise in professional guardianship services. Prior to obtaining the Professional Guardian designation, she has always been an advocate for the elderly including preparing their real estate for sale and liquidating their personal property.

Her extensive community involvement includes LEADERship Martin County Class 15, past board chair of Hibiscus Children’s Center, foster parenting, White Doves Christmas Project, and Treasure Coast Food Bank meal packaging.

Beth is based from the Hutchinson Island office located at 660 NE Ocean Boulevard. She can be reached directly by calling 772-285-3006 or emailing BEaton@WaterPointe.com

Water Pointe Realty Group is proud to welcome Chari Miles and Mindi Paruta as its newest agents!

Chari has teamed up with her daughter, Mindi, to form the team “Family for Families”. Together they bring a high level of professionalism to Water Pointe with over 35 years of knowledge in Florida real estate and go above and beyond for their clients. They are looking forward to serving clients along the Treasure Coast and beyond!

“We love what we do every day. We are excited to speak with you and help you with all your real estate needs,” they said.

About Chari Miles

No matter what your needs consist of, you can count on a seasoned real estate professional like Chari Miles who lives, works, boats, and plays here too! Since 1989, she has been the go-to Realtor® in her area. Whether you’re looking to buy something new or sell your current home along the Treasure Coast, Chari utilizes her experience and network of resources for every client she takes on. From the first time you reach out, you’ll find that she goes above and beyond in assisting you in your search.

Chari’s real estate practice of over 30 years includes managing a highly productive real estate office of over 40 agents for five years. When she wasn’t managing, she was named the number one agent of that office multiple times.

Living on the water, her knowledge of the area goes beyond the sand. Chari enjoys boating and touring homes by water as often as possible with her husband and puppy. Her expertise in this growing & ever-changing market means constantly educating herself in new technology and practices, and her natural compassion makes it easy to be aware of every client’s needs.

About Mindi Paruta

Mindi Paruta is a Realtor® who grew up on the unique waterways and beautiful beaches that Florida is known for. She feels very lucky to have an active life on the water with her husband and children.

Coming from a multi-generational real estate family, Mindi always knew she loved the real estate business and started investing when she was young. Whether working with a buyer, seller, or investor, this legacy helps her identify each client’s needs and guide them through every step of the transaction. A very active & connected community member, Mindi feels blessed that many clients become friends.

Chari and Mindi are based from the Sewall’s Point office located at 3727 SE Ocean Boulevard, Suite 100.