Please tell us a little bit about yourself and about Sun Realty.
I grew up in Currituck, North Carolina, and started working on the Outer Banks at my first job at age 16. When I finished college, I knew I wanted to return home to the beach, and I’ve made the Outer Banks my home since 2001. Sun Realty started in 1980, offering both vacation rentals and real estate sales. We now have seven offices, spanning from the Currituck mainland, up to Corolla, and down to Hatteras Island. I joined the Sun Realty team in 2014 and have been in charge of our marketing and communications team since then.
Why are our Outer Banks national parks important to you?
I’ve found it so unique and interesting that our little slice of the United States is home to three national parks! Each one offers education and experiences around incredibly significant historical events. From the first English settlement in the “New World” to the Wright brothers’ first flight, and the countless ships passing by and through Cape Hatteras National Seashore, we really are blessed to be in such a special place. I’m always excited to get to introduce new visitors to our national parks.
What is your favorite way to enjoy our Outer Banks national parks?
My husband and I were actually married on Coquina Beach on Cape Hatteras National Seashore! We’ve loved enjoying the peaceful beach there and couldn’t think of a better spot for our vows. Sun Realty has also adopted the Coquina Beach Access to keep clean through the Seashore’s Adopt A Beach program. It’s truly one of our favorite areas of the Outer Banks. I used to live near Wright Brothers National Memorial and would frequently take walks to and up the “Big Hill” with my husband and kids. We’ve also enjoyed introducing family to Roanoke Island and the story of the “Lost Colony” during the summer. What’s not to enjoy?
What inspired Sun Realty to participate in Giving Tuesday?
Sun actually started holding a Giving Tuesday poll via email several years ago. Through our Giving Committee, we would select a handful of local charities, typically those that perhaps fewer people were aware of, and then ask our guests, owners, and staff to vote for their favorites. We gave a little paragraph of information on each nonprofit, along with a link to their websites where guests and owners could learn more or even support them themselves. All featured charities were given a donation for Giving Tuesday, in varying amounts based on how many votes they received. It’s a great way for us to give back and for those who own property here or love to visit the Outer Banks to learn about the community organizations that make the Outer Banks so special.
Why does Sun Realty choose to support Outer Banks Forever on Giving Tuesday?
I met Jessica Barnes, Outer Banks Forever’s founding Director, through the Kitty Hawk Rotary, and that’s how I learned about what Outer Banks Forever does to assist our national parks. So much goes into preserving the parks and keeping them accessible for our residents and visitors, and Sun Realty is beyond thrilled to help with enhancing the guest experience for all those who travel here.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Thank you for all you do help protect and preserve our national parks and keep them accessible for all!