By Virginia Lascara
virginia.lascara@insidebiz.com
Good deeds filled the air in August after Blu Skyy Realty CEO Frank Tommaso handed each of his employees $10 to give away. He wanted them to have the opportunity to give freely - no strings attached.
No rules. No regulations. Just give away the money. With no further instruction he sent the employees off with muddled looks on their faces.
"I wanted them to understand how it feels to give just for giving's sake," Tommaso said. "That's what this company is all about - giving more than we receive."
Tommaso calls this exercise the Ten Dollar Luv Challenge. He used the challenge as a way to introduce employees to Blu Skyy Realty's new philanthropy program, Blu Skyy Luv.
The Hampton Roads-based residential realty agency, which also serves greater Virginia, wants to be known for more than just selling houses.
Some employees took a traditional route and donated to a fundraiser for the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters. Less formal donations included one employee hiring a teenager to mow an elderly man's yard and another picking up the tab for the next customer in the Starbucks line. This kindness cultivated a generous atmosphere and that person, in turn, paid for the customer behind him.
At the next company meeting employees were asked to explain how they choose to give away the $10. Tommaso then unveiled the company's new philanthropy program.
"All the stories were warm and heartfelt, so when we introduced Blu Skyy Luv to everyone it was very well received," Tommaso said.
Blu Skyy Realty's mission statement is "helping good things happen for other people." For Tommaso, this means expanding the mission beyond clients.
Starting this September, each month employees will handpick three nonprofits to compete in We Vote for Luv, an opportunity for the organizations to win money by receiving the most likes on social media. The organization earning the most likes will receive $300 and runners-up will receive $100 each.
The social media contest will help spread funds, awareness and advocacy for each employee-chosen nonprofit.
To vote in this month's contest, visit the Blu Skyy Luv webpage at http://www.bluskyyluv.com.
We Vote for Luv makes up only half of the Blu Skyy Luv philanthropy. The company also pledged to annually give 1 percent of its annual profit to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters.
"My true mission is to give hope," Tommaso said. "My focus is on trying to make a difference and Blu Skyy's mission focuses on helping people rather than making a profit."
Tommaso plans to increase the monthly donation to $1,000 and to continue to raise the amount thereafter.
"The sky's the limit," he said.