Charitable Causes and Real Estate -
Every year at about this time, I reflect on my charitable causes for the year. Have I coordinated my efforts evenly? Have I done my share by donating what I can to those in need? As a REALTOR®, and just plain citizen, I feel it's my duty to help those less fortunate. Those less fortunate also includes returning veterans.
There are 3 charities that I donate to with the sale of every home. One such charity is always a recipient and the other two are rotated. My main charity is Sentinels of Freedom. Those who qualify for the 4 year scholarship are given the opportunity to start a new life with housing, schooling, and more. 
Our first veteran, Ryan Job, returned from Iraq blinded and starting a new life with his fiance, Kelly. They married after he returned. He then went on to learn braile, receive his guide dog, earn his college degree (4.0), hired at General Dynamics, climb Mt Ranier in his home state of Washington, and recently found out he and Kelly were expecting. An amazing number of accomplishments in such a short amount of time for anyone, let alone a blind returning vet.
When I first met Ryan, I was dumbfounded as to what to say to him. I had never met anyone that was blind, let alone someone who was starting out a new life as such. Looking back, I should have said, "Thank you for your service." I felt awkward and simply said, "hello." How silly of me.
I'll always regret that moment because Ryan accomplished so much, but later died as a result of a reconstructive surgery. This was the 2nd of 3 surgeries. This was a shock to everyone as he wasn't having surgery for survival, but to repair damage received when his rifle was hit, which blinded him.
I will always donate to this charity thanks to meeting Ryan and every buyer and seller receives a card and note of the donation. There just aren't enough words to explain the feeling either when 150+ Navy Seals file past a coffin for a fellow officer. The only person who wasn't tearing up was the soldier in charge of his euology. How they accomplish this, I'll never know.
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