By PHOEBE MOSES
WILTON MANORS – In the annals of performance-based giving, Atlantic Properties International realty agents David Daso and Robert Wilfong are rewriting the playbook.
The duo, who share lives and office space in Wilton Manors, have kicked off a unique campaign to give back to the community, and they are encouraging their clients and investors to do their parts in “putting their money” where the need is greatest.
Beginning during this month’s Pridefest weekend, Daso and Wilfong have begun to contribute 25 percent of their listing commission to a local charity of their client’s choice—or of the realtors’ if their investor doesn’t evince a preference.
The caring-and-sharing couple’s generosity is contagious, as they have ensnared Atlantic Properties’ CEO and broker, Carl Marzola, in their giving-web, with the same percentage of the brokerage owner’s commission blowing up that charitable kitty into some very comfortable proportions.
“I want to do everything I can to encourage my team associates to make this community very much a part of themselves,” notes Marzola, whose Atlantic Properties.
DAVID DASO (LEFT), AND ROBERT GILFONG (RIGHT)
International Business Café is located directly across Wilton Drive from the Wilton Manors City Hall.
“We all know what the economic challenges this community has faced in the past few years,” says Marzola.
“That’s why it is so vital to see business people like Bob and Dave helping to build the foundations that make for a strong future for us all. Broward House and Poverello are just two of the many great organizations that we are proud to support and help in a tangible way.”
As noted by Marzola, the first contribution from the commission earned by Wilfong and Daso will benefit local service organization Broward House. That group was selected by the pair’s client/seller, Jim Blasi.
“Another listing is pending and, upon closing, the designated charity is Poverello,” explains Daso, who, along with Wilfong, has been a real estate professional for six years, a job they started six years after moving here. “We just wanted to give something back to our community,” Daso adds, matter-of-factly.
In addition to their charitable efforts, Wilfong and Daso have just finished shooting an episode of HGTV’s “House Hunters.” Their segment will air on the cable network in about three months.
“Our clients Marcel Lebrun and Carl Daniels asked if we wanted to do it,” recalls Daso, “and of course we said yes! We filmed three days in January–one day for each property- -and last weekend filmed the ‘Three Months Later’ part of it.”
Daso says that he and Wilfong took advantage of the “lent” spotlight to focus it on the place they love to call home.
“We were lucky to have some say as to where” the location shooting occurred, “so we made it all about Wilton Manors and Fort Lauderdale,” Daso shares. “Not only did they film at the beach, but they also featured the Alibi, Naked Grape Wine Bar, Rosie’s, and Wilton Drive in general.”
Daso says that he and Wilfong have been fortunate in the friends and business relationships they have forged in the past 12 years.
They would like to see that goodwill banked and used for the good of themselves and the entire region.
“We hope to promote our area as an affordable and highly desirable area to buy and sell real estate,” Daso adds.