Categories: Articles
Date: Jan 30, 2010
Title: REALTORS ARE GOOD NEIGHBORS
By now, we are all aware of the severe devastation caused by the earthquakes in Haiti.
By now, we are all aware of the severe devastation caused by the earthquakes in Haiti. The National Association of REALTORS is helping answer the calls for help in two key ways.
First, we are contributing $550,000 to charities that will help bring much-needed supplies and care to the people of Haiti. Included in that sum is $100,000 donated by our REALTOR Benefits® Program partner, Lowe's®, and the National Association of REALTORS has matched this $100,000 donation.
We are also contributing $500,000 to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, which is supporting earthquake recovery efforts with immediate relief and long-term support to earthquake survivors.
REALTORS have earned a reputation for our compassionate work on behalf of others - both here in the United State and around the world. I hope you will join our latest efforts and bring that same compassion and hope to people who desperately need it.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said: "An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."
That being said, how can we be a good neighbor right here in the Mahoning Valley? We know or have heard of someone from our families, friends or sphere of influence that have been laid off or maybe even lost their jobs completely during this economic storm. They have had to file bankruptcy or have already lost their home through foreclosure because their financial situation has changed drastically over the past two years. These families have gone through extreme emotional and financial devastation.
I ask that all of us look to bring some compassion and hope to our neighbors locally who are desperately in need. Small acts of kindness, monetary gifts, gas, and grocery cards can do wonders to brighten someone's' spirits. Our neighbors need to know we care, they need to know that they are not alone or forgotten.
We look out our window and see elderly Mrs. Smith always shoveling her sidewalk in 20 degree weather. We make a comment that "she shouldn't be doing that", but do we run outside to help this neighbor or do we just shake our head and go back into our own little world. Do we think to go over and check on Mrs. Smith the next time it snows and she's not shoveling that snow covered sidewalk? Do we think, "she finally got smart" or maybe something's wrong and she's not ok? What would a Good neighbor do?
There are so many things that we can do in our daily lives that don't cost anything but a little of our time to show our neighbors that we really care. At this time when our neighbors are facing difficult issues and not believing in anything or anyone, they can believe in you, Their Neighbor!
Go to www.wabor.org to find a REALTOR near you.