A pair of real estate agents, both Saugus natives, teamed up to spread a little Christmas cheer this year.
For each transaction that Debbie Miller and Danielle Ventre — who both work at the Littlefield Real Estate location in Lynnfield — completed in 2022, they purchased a bike for a child in need. The combined effort meant 24 bikes were split between the Saugus Sachem Friends Toy Drive and the Saugus Toys for Tots initiative, with eight going to the Sachem Friends and the rest to Toys for Tots.
Miller, who now lives in Lynnfield, said she “stole” the idea from another realtor. The effort was driven by a desire to give back to the community and help children whose parents might not be able to provide them with Christmas gifts.
“It’s just an awesome idea and more people should give to these kids who have nothing,” she said.
“It’s so humbling to read their Christmas lists,” she added, noting that she’s seen children ask for things like deodorant and rain boots.
She said she recruited Ventre to the effort, and Ventre said she was happy to join in.
“We always want to give back,” she said in a telephone interview. “We feel grateful that we’re able to work and afford things for our children and families so we felt grateful that we had all these clients.”
Both Miller and Ventre, who also now lives in Lynnfield, stressed that they want to continue the effort into 2023. Ventre said they hope to get even more agents involved and run a toy drive out of the Lynnfield office, in addition to continuing the bike purchases.
“We really really feel grateful for what we can do so we just wanted to give back,” she said. “We’re hoping each year we can make it bigger and better.”
