For Kim Dawson, one of the proudest moments for the Greater Chapel Hill Association of Realtors in 2007 had nothing to do with home sales or burgeoning membership. Dawson, the association president for the year, said the 24-hour home improvement project that Fix-A-Home tackled in late October ranked right up there at the top of the organization's achievements for the year.

"It was a wonderful day," Dawson said, "working side-by-side with fellow Realtors and businesses to make the much-needed home improvements. Many tears of joy and accomplishment were seen that day. That was my proudest moment for the association."

The organization kicked off its first Fix-A-Home project by sprucing up the two-bedroom Prince Street house of Carrboro resident Evelyn Thompson. Christine Khoury, Bill Whitmore and Pat Naegle put together the project and coordinated the effort, which drew real estate agents who rolled up their sleeves and painted, replaced carpets, installed a new range, countertops and cabinets.