Cindy Doll, CEO of the Pismo Coast Association of REALTORS®, Calif., is the recipient of the Terry McDermott community leadership award, presented during the AE Institute in March. This award was created to honor an AE who has shown outstanding leadership and commitment in helping others outside of regular association duties.

During the past nine years, Doll has served as a foster parent to about 20 teens with emotional and often behavioral challenges. Doll provides love, discipline, and guidance as she serves as a positive role model.

“There was a point several years ago that I felt compelled to become involved in foster care,” says Doll. “Because I enjoy teenagers—for some unexplainable reason—I went through the steps to become certified with a local foster care agency.”

These children have come first on Doll’s priority list, and many have maintained contact with her long after they moved on.

“Learning that I had been selected to receive the award was quite a surprise, and has been a humbling experience,” says Doll. “The best part has been bringing attention to the need for foster care and for mentoring teenagers. My hope is that others will find it within themselves to begin mentoring teenagers in their local areas because the need is great.”

Doll plans to donate the $500 McDermott Award to her foster care organization, the Family Care Network.

“I would like to thank all who are involved in some type of community service,” says Doll, “because it is people like you who make your local areas a wonderful place to live.”

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