The YPN Committee and members of the Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® (GAAR) came together this year in an extraordinary show of generosity, collecting the largest number of donations ever for the February Laundry Love initiative. What started as a simple call for laundry supplies quickly grew into a powerful demonstration of what REALTORS® can accomplish when they rally around a cause that supports their community.

Laundry Love partners with local laundromats to help individuals and families cover the cost of laundry and supplies, offering meaningful financial relief. This support allows recipients to redirect money they would have spent at the laundromat toward necessities such as food, transportation, or medical expenses. Something as simple as clean clothes can bring dignity, confidence, and a sense of stability to families facing difficult circumstances.

2026 donations blew previous totals out of the water!

11,189 loads  - Detergent

10,118 loads -  Dryer Sheets

2,181 loads - Fabric Softener

417 loads - Bleach

This year’s drive saw an incredible response from GAAR members across the region. Several brokerages stepped forward as official drop-off locations, helping make it easy for members to participate and contribute to the growing collection. Special thanks go to:

• Maddox & Co. REALTORS
• Vista Encantada REALTORS
• RE/MAX Elevate
• ERA Summit

These offices helped energize participation across their teams and the broader REALTOR® community. In addition to ERA Summit's laundry supply donation, they also provided a check for $136 from their ERA Cares campaign.

A special recognition also goes to Bill McCoy, whose generous contribution helped push this year’s campaign to record-breaking levels.

Throughout February, members also dropped off donations at the GAAR REALTOR® Building, they brought detergent, dryer sheets, and other supplies while attending classes, meetings, and events. Each item added to the growing collection and reflected a commitment to supporting neighbors in need.

Laundry Love is made possible through collaboration with the United Way of North Central New Mexico and the Shine Partnership, organizations dedicated to strengthening communities and helping individuals facing financial hardship. Together, these partnerships transform everyday household supplies into meaningful support for families throughout Albuquerque.

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This year’s record-breaking drive is a clear example of the REALTOR® spirit in action. Members of the YPN Committee and the GAAR community stepped up in a big way, proving that small acts of generosity can add up to something truly powerful.

From brokerage collections to single boxes of detergent dropped off by individual members, every contribution helped make this the most successful Laundry Love drive yet.

About the YPN Committee

GAAR's Young Professionals Network (YPN) helps new REALTORS® and Affiliates to the business a chance to network with seasoned professionals to learn leadership skills and get more involved. YPN events are free to attend and don’t let the name fool you, if you’re young at heart --- we’d love to have you join our committee.