Time For Us To Give Back

Posted at 1:48 PM, Aug. 31, 2005

Paula Bean provides an update from Jacque Stanly at NAR on how we can help our fellow agents dealing with the Katrina disaster.

I emailed the CEO and the VP of communications at our Board in Orlando as to how they dealt with last years hurricanes in Florida, and how we could help with this years Katrina catastrophe.   They responded back immediately, as I knew they would.  Our Board here is so awesome! Here is what I found out (copied below).  IMHO, I think we should all form a coalition from RT and EPT to make a lump sum distribution to all of these programs... what does everyone else think?

 Tres Amigo's - are you in?  It would be very nice, as well as a powerful statement on the numbers of RT to contribute to these very worthy causes. {John's note: Thanks for the update, Paula. Yes, we are in. We're setting Up a special blog, along with Lake Charles, LA REALTOR and NAR Certified e-PRO Trainer, Mary Kay Hopkins - "The purpose of this Weblog is to match needs resulting from Hurricane Katrina with the talents and resources of the real estate community." More to follow later today.}

Then again, everyone could do what they want on their own, but there is power in numbers, and I'd be more than happy to spearhead it if need be. Let's talk Realtalk!!  It is time for us to give back, help out others and make a difference!

Paula Bean, REALTOR
e-PRO Certified Internet Expert
Certified Real Estate Consultant
Carib Gulf Realty 321.228.4663
http://www.HomeOrlando.com

REALTOR RELIEF FOUNDATION PROVIDES FUNDS FOR KATRINA RELIEF EFFORT

WASHINGTON, DC (August 30, 2005)?The REALTOR Relief Foundation is spearheading donations to REALTOR associations in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi  this week by contributing $50,000 to each of three state REALTOR associations impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

REALTOR Relief Foundation President Pat Kaplan said the initial contributions will help fund the establishment of state relief funds.
"However, much more will be needed to help the many who have lost their homes or businesses," she said.

"There are so many on the outskirts of New Orleans who have lost everything," says Sandy Lash, an executive at the Louisiana Association of REALTORS in Baton Rouge. The storm left 6-7 feet of water in areas around New Orleans, including Metairie and Kenner, where virtually every structure sustained damage. "It will be weeks or months before full power is restored to these areas, and the entire water system in the area has Been compromised," says Lash.

In Alabama, communities around the Gulf, still recovering from Hurricane Ivan a year ago, are once more digging out. "We have thousands

who lost everything in Ivan and had built their homes back up only to have them destroyed again," says J. Danny Cooper, association executive at the Alabama Association of REALTORS.

NAR CEO Terrence M. McDermott is calling on Realtors to reach out and help their colleagues in this time of tremendous need. "We would

probably all like to run down and pitch in and help, but since that's not possible, we should all pray that our Realtor community finds the

strength to make it through this trial," he says. "We ask that you send whatever you can to the REALTOR Relief Foundation and we will pass your donation along in a rush."

All administrative costs of the project will be absorbed by NAR; 100 percent of all donations will go directly to aid the victims.

Contributions can be  made online through the following secure site powered by NAR's e-commerce system:

https://www.realtor.org/RelFundTrack.nsf/Contribution?OpenForm. Contributions are tax deductible. To make contributions by mail, checks

should be made payable to the REALTORŪ Katrina Project and sent to:REALTOR Katrina Relief Project, Attn: NAR Finance Division, 430 N.

Michigan Ave.,Chicago IL 60611.

For those who would like to make donations directly to the states, in Alabama please send checks payable to the Alabama REALTOR Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 4070, Montgomery, AL 36104. Donations can be made by credit card by calling the Alabama Association of REALTORS at 334/262-3808 or by going online to www.alabamarealtors.com/relief.cfm.   For Louisiana, checks payable to the Louisiana REALTORS Association Relief Fund should be sent to P.O. Box 14780, Baton Rouge, LA, 70898, or to Regions Bank, attn: Louisiana REALTORS Association Relief Fund, 5353 Essen Lane, Suite 150, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.

The National Association of Realtors, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing more than 1

million members involved in all aspects of the residential andcommercial real estate industries.