Kevin Breen – Good Neighbor Award

Each year the Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® chooses a member who has been instrumental in the community and given of themselves to make the world a little better.  This year Kevin Breen was chosen as the FAAR Good Neighbor.

The following submission was presented to the nominating committee:
Kevin has enjoyed much success in real estate.  He began his career in 1977, selling  residential real estate in downtown Fredericksburg.    He started Coldwell Banker Elite in 1982, and it has grown into one of the largest and most successful Coldwell Banker franchises in the country.   Through the years, hundreds of agents and thousands of  buyers and sellers have been positively affected by their affiliation with Kevin Breen.   While his business endeavors are themselves impressive, they are not why he should be celebrated and recognized as  FAAR’s Good Neighbor.

Kevin is a good neighbor because he cares deeply for his fellow man and works tirelessly to improve the lives of others.   He has a spirit of generosity and a strong commitment to action to help others.  He is humble beyond measure and never seeks recognition for what he does, it is just who he is.

He also has a tremendous passion for running and is an accomplished runner.  He can recount the details of many of his races from youth, and he does so with great delight and usually a little bit of humor.   Kevin came to America from Ireland on a Cross Country/Track scholarship to East Tennessee State University .   He has never forgotten, nor taken for granted, the opportunities that scholarship afforded him. Combining his love of running with his commitment to helping others, he has found ways to give back to the sport and community—and, in a big way.

In 1994, Kevin was one of the founding members of the Fredericksburg Area Running Club (FARC), a self supporting non-profit organization.   Kevin’s donation allowed FARC

to offer cash prizes to attract the best runners in the area.  Through the years, the races have grown in popularity and participants.  Proceeds generated are given to various charities in the community.

Starting in 1995, Kevin and Coldwell Banker Elite became the title sponsor of the FARC Grand Prix series, initially a series of seven races.  It has grown to 12 races in 2013 with over 4000 participants, it is one of the biggest draws for runners in the area.  And, in 1996, Kevin founded the Riverbank 12K, a FARC race which he managed until 2005.  The benefactor for this event was the Hospice Support Group.  Over the years, the Riverbank 12K raised thousands of dollars for hospice support.

Kevin founded the Stafford Hospital 5K for the Stafford Hospital Foundation.  He has managed that event for the past four years.  The Stafford Hospital 5K has raised in excess of $80,000 for the Mary Washington and Stafford Hospital Foundations.   The Foundation’s mission is to improve the health of people in our community through awarding grants.

Kevin is also deeply involved with the Rappahannock Rotary Club, serving in various capacities including the Chairman of the fund raising committee.   In this capacity, he organized many successful endeavors, again benefitting those in our community.   And, he is a member of the Stafford Hospital Foundation Board.