NextHome’s beloved mascot, Luke the French Bulldog, has been warmly welcoming people home for nearly 12 years. To celebrate this endearing part of the brand’s identity, NextHome sets aside Luke’s June 15 birthday as a company-wide day of service. Offices close, and NextHome members from coast to coast focus on giving back to their communities.
The occasion prompts service both big and small, with every kind act building better neighborhoods and more connected communities.
In Kansas City, a local experiencing homelessness gained a tiny home, furnished with essential items, thanks to a partnership between NextHome Gadwood Group and Eden Village of Kansas City.
Eden Village is a tiny-home community for individuals who are disabled or have experienced chronic homelessness. NextHome Gadwood Group owner Julie Gadwood and her team raised enough money to purchase an entire home for the community, outfitting it with a welcoming orange door, and providing the basic necessities needed to make it feel like home.
“This gives someone a hand up,” Julie said on social media. “They now have a home and a better life. In return, they give back to the community and stay drug-free. We are very proud of this accomplishment and the opportunity we had to make a difference.”
NextHome Capital Realty’s Camp Hill office spent the day volunteering at Midwest Food Bank, where the team helped sort and prepare meals for 1,176 families in Pennsylvania’s greater Harrisburg area. Meanwhile, the brokerage’s Lebanon office hosted a community carnival benefiting Davis Dog Farm, a local animal rescue organization. The event featured a dunk tank, food truck, kids’ games, popcorn, giveaways, and opportunities to meet adoptable dogs.
“Real estate is what we do, but serving our community is who we are,” said NextHome Capital Realty owner Michael Pion in his social media post about the event.
“This year was extra special,” Jayme said as she shared an update on Instagram. “Every kid deserves a birthday treat—sometimes it’s the only one they get. So our NextHome family rolled up our sleeves and got to work making treat bags and party decorations. A huge thanks to everyone who donated and helped. This is what NextHome is all about.”
In the Carolinas, NextHome Paramount partnered with Bright Blessings USA. The nonprofit brings joy, care, and hope to children experiencing homelessness or poverty by providing the often-costly items that make birthdays special. Broker/Owner Jayme Downey brought the NextHome Paramount office together and agents joyfully assembled treat bags and party decorations for children in the local community.
This year, for Luke Day, members of NextHome’s corporate team packed and processed oranges for the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Meanwhile, Vice President of Operations Taylor Cannon teamed up with her son, Porter, to clean up local beaches.
Here are some of the ways numerous NextHome offices celebrated Luke Day:
- Wendy Ferguson and the team at NextHome Local Realty Group in Conway, Arkansas, donated $10 from every 2026 closing to Canine Companions.
- Leigh Lucroy and the team at NextHome Concordance Realty in Brandon, Mississippi, organized and promoted a donation drive and pet adoption event benefiting the Mississippi Animal Rescue League (MARL).
- Stephanie Jones and the team at NextHome Superior Living in Michigan, bid on a fundraising picnic basket supporting neighbor Korie Stanski’s cancer surgery fund.
- Nisha Smithrick and the team at NextHome Forward in Bel Air, Maryland, accepted donations for the Humane Society of Harford County.
- James Ahearn and the team at NextHome Excellence in Pleasantville, New York, participated in roadside cleanup efforts in the local community.
- Lisa Angelicola and the team at NextHome Realty Premier Properties in Howell, New Jersey, organized a pet adoption and supplies drive benefiting local animal welfare organizations.
- Stacey Thulin and the team at NextHome NTX Real Estate in Fort Worth, Texas, hosted a community fundraising event with puppies, auctions, and activities benefiting Canine Companions.
- Tracy Bibbens and the team at NextHome Bibbens Realty Group in Lorton, Virginia, donated library furnishings and supplies to a local elementary school library.
- Harold Chappell and the team at NextHome Cape Fear in Wilmington, North Carolina, cleaned facilities, delivered supplies, and completed service projects at the Paws4People Foundation Addie’s Way Campus in Castle Hayne, North Carolina.
- Courtney Lampert, Carrie Sutton, and the team at NextHome 365 Realty in Hayden, Idaho, collected pet supplies and donations while hosting a raffle fundraiser for Because We Care Rescue.
- NextHome Northwest Real Estate in Spokane, Washington, invited families to bring their beloved pets to the office for professional family photos in exchange for donations to the local food bank.
- NextHome Central Coast in Pismo Beach, California, collected donations to support neighbors experiencing homelessness and the pets who love them by partnering with 5Cities Homeless Coalition, SLO County Animal Services, CARE4Paws, and Woods Humane Society.
- NextHome Priority in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, hosted its sixth annual Luke Day Fundraiser, generating $7,670 for CAP Services Family Crisis Center.
A huge thank you goes out to all the NextHome members who participated in Luke Day, whether through organizing events, volunteering, or contributing in small, simple ways. Your dedication to your communities inspires us all!