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Giving Back to the Community -- More Than Just Money

Realtors serve their local community in more ways than one. They help bolster the community reputation and encourage people to move there. Realtors care about the community where they live and work and constantly strive to improve the neighborhoods and property values.

Most successful Realtors throughout the country serve in positions of leadership in their homeowner's associations, condo associations, local community groups, Rotary, Kiwanis, Chambers of Commerce, school boards, Realtor associations, transportation committees, and even as elected local officials. These are all ways of giving back to the community that do not require an outlay of money -- just your time.

Throughout the year, and especially around certain holidays, you no doubt get solicited for money by numerous charities. Your innate human nature makes you want to help out. But, there are hundreds, even thousands of "good causes" out there vying for your hard-earned funds, and it's impossible to donate to everyone. You probably already have a wide assortment life-time collection of mailing labels from various charities hoping you'll send in a donation!

If you'd like to make a difference, but your cash is a little to thin to spread around, think about getting involved (passionately) by giving of your time and effort to support some of the causes that mean a lot to you.

While I donate money to several good causes, here are three important charities that I support with my time and effort.

SUSAN G. KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE

The Komen Race for the Cure raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship, and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. They host many 5K races throughout the country and the biggest one is right here in Washington D.C. every June -- The National Race for the Cure.

For the past 12 years, I've participated in the National Race for the Cure. RE/MAX International is a sponsor of the Susan G. Komen races and my brokerage RE/MAX Allegiance is a big supporter. For the last few years, I've joined the RE/MAX team from my office in raising funds for and running the race. It has a very special meaning to me since my mother is a breast cancer survivor.

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Among its other important roles, the American Red Cross serves over 3,000 hospitals around the United States by delivering a wide range of high quality blood products and blood donor services. Blood is always in need, saves lives and can only be obtained by volunteer donors.

The Red Cross says that "Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood." More than 6 years ago, I started donating blood 5 times a year. Approximately every 56 days, I'll head over to the Red Cross blood drive sponsored by my local Masonic Lodge and spend a morning donating a pint, and sometimes helping to cook breakfast to order for the other donors.

Knowing that I've helped save lives by giving blood is a wonderful feeling. Anyone who is healthy, over the age of 18 and weighs more than 110 pounds may be eligible to donate. And it doesn't cost a dime. Donating blood is one of the kindest things you can do to help your community, in my opinion.

SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN

You've no doubt heard about the Shriners. You may have even seen them in your local parades wearing the red fez, driving the mini-corvettes, or clowning around.

But what you may not know is about the "Greatest Philanthropy in the World". The Shriners support a network of 22 hospitals throughout North America specializing in orthopedic surgery, burn treatment, and spinal cord injury treatment for children. The most amazing thing about the Shriners Hospitals is that the children and families are not charged anything for the medical services. That's right -- absolutely free.

Any child who the hospital thinks they can help will be admitted without regard to race, religion, creed, etc. And there need not be a Shriner in the child's family -- that is not a criteria for admission. The hospitals offer world-class care and rely solely on the generosity of the Shriners of North America for support -- no government aid and no insurance.

I'm proud to be a Shriner and contribute towards helping children. While we have fun at our meetings, parades, and social events, our mission is very serious and very worthwhile. I've toured the closest Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia and helped transport a patient from D.C. to Philadelphia for treatment.

Please find a cause that you feel passionate about and get out there and help. Not only will you feel good about yourself, but you'll make a difference, and may even meet other interesting and like-minded people that become your friends and/or clients.

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Posted by Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate on 10/06/2007 02:21 PM

Comments (43)

charity, realtors, brian block, red cross, shriners, susan g komen, race for the cure, breast cancer, northern virginia real estate blog

Post is included in group: RE/MAX Active Rain Bloggers
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43 Comments on Giving Back to the Community -- More Than Just Money

OCT

2007

My broker is sooo into the Shriner's Hospital. I was volunteering for an outpatient program until I got burnt....it's slowed down and may go back. You are very active in the community Brian...where do you get all this time?

SALLY: Thanks for commenting. Shriners Hospitals are such a wonderful cause and the Shriners are a great group of people. To answer your question, I severly limit my t.v. time to only a few very select shows (Desperate Housewives, Dancing with the Stars, and Lost) and never sit there just flipping around. Most of my community involvement ends up being very social as well as quite a few of my friends are involved in the same activities.

National Association of Auctioneers is big supporters of St. Jude. We raise thousands every year.

WAYNE: Another excellent charity. I'm glad to hear that the Auctioneers are on board.

Hey Brian - It is awesome to see that you are so involved with these causes. I have been relatively involved in a few community activities. Many of my "causes" are people that I know personally and try to assist as much as possible. I was thinking of participating in a diabetes walk/run this year, because my mom was diagnosed with this last year. I am happy to hear that your mother was a survivor of breast cancer.

That's why I like working for Coldwell Banker. Their support of Habitat for Humanityis great as I enjoy rolling up my sleeves and helping to build or rehab a home.

JASON: Thanks for commenting. Helping people personally is just as important as contributing to an organized charity. I know that you are a great friend to have when times are good as well as when they're bad and I'm sure that your friends and family appreciate your support greatly. The walks/runs are great because you raise awareness and money at the same time. My mom is doing fine and just goes once a year back up to her doctor in Boston for a check-up.

Brian - I am happiest of all to hear that your mom is doing well. Keep up the good work with your "time donations", my friend.

Brian-I'm passionate about Fisher House-says so right on the front page of AR and also a big supporter of Susan B Komen. Both for very personal reasons. I think if nothing else as we balance our lives we need to make sure that we support organizations that make a difference in the lives of others.

JON: Habitat for Humanity is another great cause. Thanks for your comments and sharing.

JASON: Thanks for your sentiments. Very appreciated.

CINDY: Thanks for your comments. Fisher House is a great charity as is the Susan Komen foundation. I'm glad to hear about your involvement. It is definitely a part of the overall balance of life that we give back to the less fortunate.

Hi Brian--I agree very much so. My project is trying to get the Washington State Legislature to pass Katie's Law: www.katieslaw.org

Brian-I love your post. You and I are on the same page in thought. The more we give, the more we want to give and the best thing we will receive in return is a heart filled with gratitude.

LESLIE: Thanks for your comments. It looks like you have recently taken on this project with a passion. I just read the information on Katie's Law and it seems like legislation that every state should adopt. I'm happy to hear that you have a pet project that is very important to you.

Brian, I rated this a five, it is so important for Realtors to get involved in a visable way. Remax makes it so easy for us. We are having a fun raiser for Susan B Koman this month. An auction on formal dresses. Want to send a few ??? LOL

JULIE: Thanks for your comments and compliment. I agree that giving to charity and knowing that you made a difference is a great feeling. There are so many good causes out there, that it is difficult to say no, but sometimes you do have to limit yourself so that you contribute more fully to those that you feel very strongly about.

MISSY: Thanks for your comment and rating. RE/MAX does make it easy with all of their support for charities including Susan G. Komen and Children's Miracle Network, among others. I don't have any formal dresses to send -- my wife recently donated her old ones to the Salvation Army.

OCT

2007

BRIAN: You are doing some great charity work. I'm looking to get more involved in some charities in the coming year. I'm putting it into my plans. I've heard about Shriners, but never really knew much about them. Thanks for sharing this with us.

ADAM: Thanks for your comments. Charity work can definitely be rewarding in more ways than one. It was my pleasure to write this and share with the community.

Brian, thanks for an inspiring post! I serve on the advisory board for the College of Nursing in fund raising. There's a shortage of nurses that will only get worse in the next two decades as baby boomers get older. So it's a worthy cause with a selfish motive. LOL Seriously, my Mom was an Army Nurse, so this was a natural place to help.

Mike in Tucson

MIKE: Thanks for your comments. Nurses certainly form a very important and often overlooked part of the medical profession. I have heard about the nursing shortage and am glad to hear that you are helping out.

Love this post!! One of the reasons I love being a Realtor is because it allows me the flexibility in my schedule to give back to my community. Many agents give back in big ways. I love donating my time and my money. If I listed them all here, I would take over your blog. Thanks for the inspiration, I will have to write a post about this.

Locally I sponsor a family every year through ACE which is a group that helps out families in the area that have a parent that is handicapped. Last year the family was that of a young man who was hit in a drive by shooting and killed. He left behind a wife and three little children. Just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time changing his tire.

Glad to hear your mother is doing well. RE/MAX is an awesome supporter of this and our office has incorporated the logo for all advertising.

Thanks for the post and reminder.

I really enjoyed this! Thank you. For me, I coach Ladies Varsity Tennis at the local High School. It is extremely difficult for Athletic Directors to find coaches so if you have a sporting skill, then please help out there too.

GINGER: Thanks for your comments. I'm glad to hear that you donate so much back to your community and look forward to seeing your post on all the ways you give -- I'm sure it will be great.

LINDA: Thanks for your comments and sharing your story about sponsoring families through ACE. It sounds like a great program. Breast cancer research and education about early detection is such a worthwhile cause and I am proud that RE/MAX is such a big supporter.

SIMON: Thanks for your comments. Coaching is giving back in such a big way -- I;m sure that you make a big difference in these young womens' lives by helping them understand competition, improve their fitness and their tennis skills. I was a tennis player and captain of my team in high school. I haven't been playing much at all lately, but may get back into it. Coaching may be something I'd enjoy in the future.

Brian, you are so right about giving back to the community. I am personally involved with American Cancer Society, Habitat, Family Resource Center, Take Stock in Children and tons of other things. This year my Assoc started a new committee called R.O.C.C. (Realtors Outreach Citrus County) we use this committee to raise funds in our assoc. for different organizations in our area! So far in 2007 we have raised about $30,000!!

ALL PRO TEAM: Thanks for your comments. It sounds like you are really involved as well and with some great organizations. I've also been a big supporter of the American Heart Association and helped organize a charity ball, numerous Chamber of Commerce fundraising events, and my local religious community. Additionally, our local Realtor association has adopted and supports a local elementary school.

Brian:

Excellent post! We all need to be visible showing how much we care in our community. Thanks for bringing it to our attention and thanks for posting on my blog as well.

ALAN: Thanks for your comments and compliments. I appreciate you stopping by. If each of us took on a little more in our own communities, the world will definitely be a better place.

OCT

2007

Brian - What an awesome post! I rated a 5! I think volunteering and community service is the way to go! We have to give back. I heard someone say that you get by giving!

LINDA: Thanks for your comments and compliments on the post. I like that "get by giving" -- so true.

Brian...you are great! I have long been passionate about my volunteer efforts which sometimes take up more time than my real estate but without them my life would not feel meaningful.

DIANE: Thanks for your comments. I'm glad to hear that you are so active with volunteering.

Brian - It's so true. I posted earlier about the holiday can food drive we're putting on. When you're industry's reputation is on par with used car salesmen, it doesn't hurt to be shown in a postive light. That's certainly not why we give back, though. Excellent post. Thank you.

TOM: Thanks for your comments. Can food drives are a great activity -- our local association holds one every year in conjunction with their convention (next week).

OCT

2007

Thanks for giving the shriners a spot on your blog. The more we are able to let the public know that the hospitals are theie giving qulairty care at no charge the better. Shriners having Fun and Helping Chilftrn.

Brian, Very few people realize REALTORS participate to the extent that we do with charitable actives. I'm a member of the Rotary Club of West Springfield and my REALTOR husband Arthur is a member of the Rotary Club of Lake Ridge, both very active organizations. Karen

ANONYMOUS: It was my pleasure to include the Shriners and I am proud to be a Noble. I only wish that I could be more active in the Shrine, but I've been so busy for years as an officer in my blue Lodge. The Shriners Hospitals are amazing places and an amazing charity.

KAREN: Thanks for commenting. From what I've heard, Rotary is a very active and great organization in our communities. I don't know too much about their activities, but have heard good things. I do believe that most Realtors do participate heavily in charitable activities and are big supporters of giving back to their communities.

SEP

2008

I totally agree! I have stepped up and decided to donate every month and by the end of the year I will have shared this with 12 people, I am a HUBBY Humanity Unites Brilliance www.charitylifeclub.com HUB is about taking action now and making an impact on millions of lives. 435 millions of partners, the most powerful force for good.

Good Luck!

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