Berlin, Md. – The Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) is encouraging local teachers to participate in the annual Fair Housing Calendar Contest, which sends the winning student to Annapolis for a meeting with the governor or other state official.

Sponsored by the Maryland Association of REALTORS® (MAR), the contest is a means for REALTORS® across the state to help increase awareness of this important issue. “Fair housing” pertains to the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in the sale and rental of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap. The contest aims to teach children that discrimination is not only wrong, but illegal.

Artwork submitted by students must illustrate this year’s calendar theme, “I ♥ Fair Housing.” CAR will choose a local winner from each of three counties: Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester. These winners will receive Visa gift cards, courtesy of CAR. Their entries will be forwarded to MAR, who will choose one for inclusion in the 2017 statewide calendar. The winner will travel to Annapolis, where they will be honored along with 12 other students from across the state.

Contest packets have been mailed to the principals of public and private schools in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Home schools, aftercare programs, churches and other children’s centers are encouraged to participate. For a contest packet, contact Sarah Rayne, Government and Public Affairs Director for CAR, at 410-641-4409 or sarah@coastalrealtors.org. Deadline for submissions is Friday, February 10, 2017.

Last year’s top local winner, whose entry is featured in the 2016 Fair Housing Calendar, was Lindsay Birkhead-Morton. Birkhead-Morton traveled to Annapolis in April for a recognition ceremony at the Maryland State House where she received a certificate and gift card from Ken Holt, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Last year’s other local finalists were Ayati Sangwan of North Salisbury Elementary School and LaNazia Goeins of Princess Anne Elementary School.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE CONTEST PACKET.

More about Coastal Association of REALTORS®

Coastal Association of REALTORS® is the leading local advocacy group in the real estate industry on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. Coastal REALTORS® works in partnership with its members to promote home ownership and preserve, protect, and advocate private property rights. The organization supports 1,000 REALTORS® who serve Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.

For more information on Coastal REALTORS®, visit www.coastalrealtors.org. The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark unique to real estate professionals who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Rayne / 410-641-4409/ sarah@coastalrealtors.or