John M. Corcoran and Post Properties Share NMHC’s Annual Good Neighbor Award

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorWashington, D.C.–The National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) has presented its second annual Good Neighbor award to Braintree, Mass.-based John M. Corcoran and Co. and Atlanta-based Post Properties.The Good Neighbor award, instituted last year, honors apartment owners and managers with a good record of community service and philanthropy. The award of $10,000 is split evenly between the winners’ charities.John M. Corcoran and Co. received this honor for its support of the St. Mary’s Women and Children’s Center in Dorchester, Mass. and Post Properties won for its charitable arm, the Post HOPE Foundation.“Between the two companies, it was very difficult to pick one winner. We thought it was better to recognize both the companies for the work they are doing,” Doug Bibby president of NMHC tells MHN.“Our goal is to encourage as many members of the NMHC to give back to the communities they work in,” Bibby tells MHN. “We look at four criteria: the amount of money spent on the charity, the number of employees of the firm who are involved in it, the commitment of the firm as well as the ability of the project to be replicated,” he says. Bibby says that with the last item, NMHC hopes to inspire other apartment companies by highlighting examples of successful programs that they might be able to adapt and launch in their own communities. John M. Corcoran employees, principals and affiliates contribute more than $100,000 plus over 500 volunteer hours every year to residents of St. Mary’s. Last year, they donated more than 150 holiday presents to children at St. Mary’s. The Post HOPE Foundation helps those in need with donations of time, money, and resources from Post’s employees as well as Post’s apartment residents. Employees and apartment residents are empowered to choose a local non-profit organization they’d like to help. Beneficiaries range from a pediatric oncology clinic in Charlotte, N.C. to an Atlanta elementary school that received landscaping improvements and a learning garden for its students.An independent group of judges chose the winners.