"Florida people" helping "my people"
It's a biased opinion, of course- but it's the only one I've got: Alabama and her people are some of the toughest, strongest, hardest-working folks around. But they're also the sweetest, kindest, most loving and most giving people on the planet. "My people" have heart- and while the heart's breaking for many these days, it remains strong and will come back.
Resilience is something "my people" are known for, and that ability to bounce back will be aided by good folks like the following- who'll be headng out from my current "home" here to make a world of difference in the lives of some of "my people".
May God bless Bob Caldwell and all who join in his efforts- and may God continue to bless the great state of Alabama and her people.
Realtors respond to Ala. tornado tragedy
DECATUR, Ala. – May 5, 2011 – A small Alabama city was almost destroyed by F5- and F4-rated storms, and Realtors from Florida plan to help. Floridians understand the destruction nature can unleash, and a handful of men and women will spend a week at the end of May helping residents near Decatur, Ala., rebuild and restock.
Alabama was hit by tornados that left hundreds of people dead and thousands of buildings demolished. Some towns were almost completely destroyed, and at least one real estate agent died during the storm.
“Alabama Association of Realtors’ EVP Danny Cooper has coordinated Realtor volunteers who want to come to Alabama,” says Bob Caldwell, a Realtor from Altamonte Springs near Orlando who is heading the Florida relief effort. “When we called to offer help, he set us up with the Morgan/Lawrence County Association of Realtors, which serves parts of a three-county area near Decatur.” Caldwell says he’s now working directly with the local association’s president, Patti Lambert.
Caldwell plans to leave on May 21 with anyone who wishes to go along, and he’s accepting donations for the residents of Alabama.
“So far, we have six volunteers confirmed and a few more trying to work out the details,” says Caldwell. “The Realtors from the Decatur area will open their homes to us, so lodging is provided. We’ll leave Saturday, May 21, and return Friday, May 27; but anyone who can volunteer for only a day or two is more than welcome – there’s plenty of work to go around. We’ll be removing debris, repairing homes that weren’t destroyed, and distributing food and clothing to the surrounding area, which is very rural.”
Donate supplies
“Generators are in big demand,” says Caldwell. However, other supplies are also needed, including:
• Gift cards for Lowes or Home Depot • Water and nonperishable food that does not have to be cooked • Blankets and bedding supplies • Toys for children, such as coloring books, crayons or stuffed animals • Prepaid phone cards • Diapers and baby supplies • School supplies: backpacks, paper, pencils, etc. • Gently used clothing
To travel with fellow Realtors to Alabama or to donate supplies, contact Bob Caldwell by emailing him at bcaldw1030@aol.com or calling his cell phone at (321) 228-4564.
Supplies can also be sent directly to the Morgan/Lawrence County Association of Realtors in care of Patti Lambert’s agency: RE/MAX Platinum, 2699 Sandlin Road, Decatur, AL 35601.
Donate money
The Alabama Association of Realtors® Disaster Relief Fund is also taking donations to help the state’s Realtors.
According to Cindy Denney, president of the Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors, some members suffered major losses. One independent brokerage lost its offices. “But they found all their files intact in the rubble,” she says.
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