Congratulations to PSAR REALTOR® Marlow Martinez, a recipient of a PSAR Good Neighbor award.
Since 2013, Marlow, a Chula Vista resident, has been making friends and changing lives via the Marlow B. Martinez Sr. (MBM) Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Named after his late father who passed away in 2013, Marlow and his MBM foundation have been easing burdens and assisting families during their most tumultuous times for more than a decade.
Marlow’s volunteer efforts have included providing families with Christmas gifts, supplying Thanksgiving dinners, and organizing holiday toy drives, backpack and school supply drives. Other activities include surprising children in low-income families with birthday parties, and delivering meals to military families and the elderly during the Covid-related lockdowns.
Marlow’s inspiration for helping others is based on his father’s example of community service. At age 14, Marlow’s father took on a fatherly role for his single mom and eight siblings. During his 40-year government career, Marlow’s father created a nonprofit to ensure minorities had ample and fair opportunities at management-level government jobs.
Two of Marlow’s father’s favorite sayings were “Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition,” and “A community is much better if we look out after one another versus taking from one another.”
Here is Marlow’s story about the founding of the MBM Foundation.
“I was living in Murrieta in 2011 when my dad had a severe stroke,” said Marlow. “He was 62 years old and in great shape. He went from working full-time to being 100% dependent, requiring 24-hour care with a feeding tube and tracheotomy in his neck. Rather than send him to a care facility, we took him home. My brother and I became full-time nurses overnight.
It was a two-year battle. He was in a wheelchair and learning to walk again. The doctors said his progress was nothing short of a miracle. I was determined to give him the best opportunity to live.
Then, he had another stroke and we lost him. His funeral drew 300 people from all over the country. I had no idea how many people my dad had helped. He helped people get better jobs and encouraged them to get an education. He was a dedicated father and community friend with a heart of gold. Even today, strangers ask me if I’m Marlow’s son.
When he passed away, I wanted to keep his work and spirit alive. So, I created the MBM Foundation in his honor. We’ve been lucky to have blessed so many families.”
Marlow says his real estate career has paid for his living expenses for nearly 20 years. He has worked as a loan officer and real estate agent. He earned his broker's license in 2011. He also has worked as a property-and-casualty insurance broker and substitute elementary school teacher. He has been a member of PSAR since 2008.
“Over the past 14 years, I have bought and sold out-of-state flips and still continue to own an out-of-state portfolio of homes,” he said. “I’m working on my first apartment building purchase."
“Real estate has taught me to look for opportunities and know a good market when I see one. Real estate will always be part of my life because it allows me to remain involved in the community and with disadvantaged youth. My heart is filled with passion to try and make these kids’ lives better and prepare them for a better future.”
For more information about the MBM Foundation, visit www.facebook.com/marlowbmartinezfoundation/.