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A card is nice, but giving back can be even better

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024

Recently I've read some great articles about Xerox offering to send cards to service men, but what about their families here back in Oregon who's incomes have been cut by their spouses being over seas?

What is Oregon doing about that? Well thanks to a local talk show host Lars Larson, we have the Hometown Heroes program. This program helps families that are left behind by war, and sometimes can't afford the simple things.

This program was set up so people could volunteer their services to help family members of those who are at war protecting our country. You see, if you have a service or want to donate something to a service member's family, you just send in a Hometown Heroes Request Form  and you can give back.

Let's say that a family member of a service member needs their house painted and you own a house painting service, you could offer to paint their house for free as a way to give back. Let's say you own a glass company and a window of a service person's spouse has been damaged, you could offer to replace it for free.

What ever you have to offer, more than likely a service member's family may need it at some time, especially during the holiday season when money is usually tight anyway. You see, most service people don't get paid by their employers while serving over seas, and military pay usually is ¼ to ½ of what they make in the civilian world. Can you imagine what would happen to your household if your spouse's income was cut to ¼ of what you are used to them getting paid?

So if you live in Oregon and have a service that you could do for a service member's family, please take the time and fill out the Hometown Heroes Request Form.

Comments(13)

Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Hi Todd,

I agree with you 100% on this one. You wriye about good hearted stuff. That's nice

Tom Braatz

Nov 28, 2007 05:32 PM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!
Todd- What a wonderful way to give back to someone so deserving! This is not a case of welfare it is a case of giving thanks to the service men and women who are protecting us and our freedom! Katerina
Nov 28, 2007 05:36 PM
Vincent McKamy
Samson Properties - Fredericksburg, VA
Realtor Fredericksburg Virginia

Great postings - I sometimes think we forget about the families that are left behind when a service member goes off, I only wish we could remember them all year long. 

Thanks for the great links and keep up the great work.

Nov 28, 2007 10:27 PM
Charlottesville Solutions
Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

The more exposure we can get on the subject the better, in my opinion! Keep posting!

Merry Christmas!

 

Nov 28, 2007 10:51 PM
Linda Scanlan
A Fan of AR - Burleson, TX
Wow, Todd..this is an awesome way to give back. Just think what could be done if every town did the same thing. This is a great post!
Nov 28, 2007 10:57 PM
DDR Realty
DDR Realty - Newburgh, NY
Orange County NY
It is a meaningful way to show appreciation and support ours troops and their family members. Good post.
Nov 28, 2007 11:35 PM
Michelle Pine
Kris Weaver Real Estate Team - Virginia Beach, VA
ABR, GRI, Hampton Roads Real Estate
Wow that is great.  I'm going to do some research and see if we have something like that here in Hampton Roads- especially since it's such a large Military oriented area!
Nov 29, 2007 12:48 AM
Sarah Eubanks
Hill Valley Financial Services - Oregon City, OR
Preferred Oregon Loan Consultant & Notary Public
Hi Todd ~  Thank you for posting this.  I actually know about this program.  One of our best friends has served three tours in the Middle East.  If you know anyone who has personally been there, the family is often left behind.  In Oregon, we have several terrific programs to bless our servicemen and women.  I will be posting a blog soon regarding those opportunities!  Thanks for sharing this one with the class!!  :)
Nov 29, 2007 01:37 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Tom - This was such a neat idea when they introduced it in 2003 and I'm glad it survived!

Katerina - Exactly, these aren't people that are begging for it! It is usually friends of theirs that call and tell the hometown heroes program that they need the help.

Vincent - That is what is so great about this program, it is year round!

Charles - I agree!

Linda - I know you could get it started in your town!

Derrick - It is such an amazing program and a great way to give back for our freedom.

Michelle - Please get back to us if you find something.

Sarah - Not a problem, and please post a link to what you find here, would love to share it with my readers.

Nov 29, 2007 02:37 AM
Portland Oregon Real Estate | Alecia Barnes - Broker
Portland, OR
Todd- I didn't know that this program existed. Thanks for letting us know about this!
Nov 29, 2007 03:49 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Alecia - This program is state wide, so feel free to tell any of your military friends about it!

Nov 29, 2007 02:48 PM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate
What a great way to show our appreciation for the service and sacrifices of our military! This has sparked an idea in me for our airmen at Nellis. Thanks for sharing this.
Nov 29, 2007 04:40 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon
John - Please share!
Dec 03, 2007 11:39 AM