REALTORS® Kathy Murdock of Hyannis, Russell Pelletier of N. Falmouth and Wendy and John Rocca from Watertorn were named 2009 Good Neighbor Award winners.  Established in 2004 and presented annually, the MAR Good Neighbor Award recognizes extraordinary commitment to community service.

Kathy Murdock, LMC
Century 21 Shoreland, Hyannis
Kathy Murdock found her way to Community Connections six years ago as a way to honor a dear friend’s son with Down’s syndrome.  Community Connections provides services to high school students and adults with disabilities, so they may be active, involved and empowered in all aspects of life.  Since that time, she has been a regular financial contributor, an active volunteer and a member of the Board of Directors.  As an example of her commitment, Murdock will work in her free time in property management at a friend’s apartment complex a few times a year.  In lieu of a salary she is compensated with luxury travel packages that she donates to Community Connection's live Auction.  This event raises $65,000 in one night. 

Russell Pelletier
William Raveis Real Estate, North Falmouth
Russell Pelletier is the Secretary/Treasurer of Wings for Falmouth Families, an organization that provides financial assistance to local families with school-age children during a medical crisis or tragedy.  Pelletier was the first person to join the Board of Directors and in just three short years has played a major role in helping the organization go from $15,000 in their operating account to over $100,000.  Pelletier spends countless hours donating his time, money, and energy to Wings for Falmouth Families by going to meetings, events, and also visiting with families in need.  Despite his tremendous commitment, Pelletier also finds time to play a significant role in four additional Falmouth-based charities that make a difference in the community: The Falmouth Walk, Cape-Cod Marathon, Falmouth Military Support Group, and ‘What’s Falmouth Reading’.

Wendy Rocca, CBR, LMC and John Rocca, CBR, GRI
Century 21 Commonwealth, Watertown
Wendy and John Rocca founded Operation American Soldier (OAS) five years ago when their daughter Tracy was in Iraq.  Tracy let her parents know that for some of her fellow soldiers, who did not receive any support from home, “mail call” was the worst part of the day.  After hearing that, Wendy and John decided to send “cheer” packages and letters to as many soldiers as possible for as long as they could.  They did not want any soldier walking away from mail call empty handed.  To date,  OAS has shipped over 28,000 pounds and 1,394 boxes of “cheer” to US soldiers across the world.  The Roccas have received numerous thank you letters and cards from the soldiers who have received the packages and were also the recipients of the Commandant’s Award from the Marine Corps League.