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The Power Of Active Rain And The Maryland Food Bank During the Holidays

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Realty Services

 Every year my office, RE/MAX Realty Group in Gaithersburg, Maryland supports our community in some way.  In past years we have helped the Salvation Army Angel Tree Kids to help make the holidays better for others.  I was always amazed at the support and generosity that the agents in my office showed for those in need.

This year we did a Food Drive for the Maryland Food Bank.  Kara Hurley, who is part of our office staff.  Kara organizes all of our community drives, social and educational activities.  Kara is a driving force to our success with the food drive.  Besides that, she is the cutest thing you could ever know.  Each agent was asked to send out postcards to folks in our SOI and other networks we were involved with in order to meet our goal of 500 lbs of food for the Maryland Food Bank.  I, of course, wrote a post about the food drive with all of the pertinent information if anyone wanted to drop food off to the office.

Food came in bit by bit.  People in the office, the office building and clients did indeed bring food to the office to help the cause.  However, I was amazed when I got a call on the phone and a young lady called me to say that their company also wanted to help the Maryland Food Bank and could they put their food with ours because she read that we were having a food drive on my blog!!  We were thrilled to have them put their collection with ours. 

Just today I had a phone call from a woman who had food to drop off to the office and wanted to make sure we were still collecting food, she had also read it on my blog.  I told her yes and that we would be thrilled for her to drop the food off at the office.  I was so excited that the blog helped our cause in a round about way.  My broker thought it was great.  It lets the public know us on many different levels, not just as agents, but as a part of the community.

I asked both of these women how did they know about our food drive and they both told me they read it on my blog here on Active Rain!!

How close did we get to our 500lbs goal?   Well, the last time we weighed we counted 1772 lbs and more food has come into the office.  Our office is happy that even in times like these, people know that there are people who need our help and we were able to be there for them.  Thanks to everyone who helped the Maryland Food Bank this holiday Season and to Active Rain for giving us this platform to reach the public.

Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Audrey:  This must have been what you were telling me about when we chatted on the phone.  That is an absolute MOUNTAIN of food.  And how cool that someone knew about it from your blog.  Makes you feel good, doesn't it?

Dec 09, 2008 08:37 AM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

That is so cool!  I wish I'd thought of that for our food drive.  We just turned in a bunch of goodies, but I gotta wonder what a difference blogging might have made.  I'll be sure to do it for the next fundraiser.

Dec 09, 2008 08:40 AM
Lori Churchill Cofer
Beasley Realty - Pullman, WA
Realtor - 509-330-0086 - Pullman, WA

Audrey,

We too did a food drive at our office...and I did blog after the fact as I am kind of new to this whole thing...next year I will do it before the fact and hopefully all the hard work in blogging will pay off...nothing would give me greater joy than to help...I can certainly tell you on Thanksgiving Day I was tickled pink to know we had helped so many...thanks for the idea for next year...

Lori Cofer, Beasley Realty

Dec 09, 2008 08:58 AM
Audrey June-Forshey
RE/MAX Realty Services - Darnestown, MD
GRI, Gaithersburg, MD

Rebecca, Thanks - that is so cool that your Dad wants to blog.  You  must be a beaming daughter :)

Carole,What you say is so true.  When I try to get people involved in AR, they look at me like I have two heads and they know I have success with my blog, but they just dont or wont get involved?  I guess it is their loss?  I am sad for them.

Amanda, Done. thanks!

Kristin, It is so funny because we were really worried about making it to 500 lbs, we are so happy.

Caron, Thank you for your kind comments.  We are most happy for the folks that will be helped.

Pat, Thank you. 

Jim, Thanks, it really feels good to help.  Happy holidays to you too.

Jason, You always say the nicest things.  Thanks ever so much!

Chris Ann, This is what I was telling you about.  I was so surprised when I got the phone calls.  I think it is so awesome on so many levels.

Ann, It just takes one call.  The first call I got filled the back of my Tahoe and the back seat full of food.  It was a bunch!!

Lori, I am surprised by the turn out.  Glad to give you the idea and congratulations on you all helping the folks in your area.

 

Dec 09, 2008 09:30 AM
Debbie Hutchins
Birmingham, AL

A big shout out to you from Pelham, Alabama!  Isn't it great meeting people in the Rain?!

I know how proud you must feel for this great accomplishment!  Nothing is more rewarding than helping others and feeding hungry people to me is the ultimate!

Enjoy your WELL EARNED praise for a job well done.

Debbie

Dec 09, 2008 09:36 AM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

Congratulations and what a good cause Re/Max is certainly a good neighbor and sounds like your staff is great as well.

Dec 09, 2008 09:39 AM
Elizabeth Nieves
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group - Durham, NC
Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team

WOW! This really touches my heart. I hope that many, many others will follow your lead and do something in their areas to reach out to those who are less fortunate.

I would love for you to post this in my group 'ACTIVIST' Rain. If you do, I will feature it so that others can read it, as well. ~GBU~

Dec 09, 2008 11:25 AM
Amanda Evans
DFW Living - Fort Worth, TX
Real Estate Broker - Fort Worth Texas

This post has been featured at Blog For A Cause! 

 

Dec 09, 2008 11:59 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

That is such great news! One, that you have gone beyond your goal for the food bank.  And, two that this AR network is indeed working and being read by many. 

Dec 09, 2008 01:18 PM
Debbie Summers
Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL

Congratulations Audrey... Not just for the gold star - but for all the families that will be enjoying meals because of you this holiday season!

Dec 09, 2008 01:57 PM
Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan
Samson Properties - Bowie, MD
I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES

Congratulations Audrey on your successful food drive. Like Kathy said,we should just write blogs here about Market Report. We should write other posts as well. This post of course will make a great localism post. Great post.

Dec 09, 2008 02:11 PM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

So glad to see you have a good turn out -- the food banks all over are in such need. Happy holidays.

Dec 09, 2008 03:09 PM
Kerry Lucasse
eXp Realty - Urban Nest Real Estate Group - Atlanta, GA
Your Urban Nest Atlanta Real Estate Consultant

That is truly impressive!  Not only did the AR community assist you, you were actually able to triple your goal and help people who are having such a hard time right now. 

Dec 09, 2008 04:44 PM
Audrey June-Forshey
RE/MAX Realty Services - Darnestown, MD
GRI, Gaithersburg, MD

Hi Everyone, Thank you for all of your kind words.  Our office is so thankful for the folks that donated food and happy we can help our community during the holidays.

Dec 10, 2008 12:44 PM
Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Audrey, great job and just goes to show you, the power of Active Rain and the power that you have when blogging. Congrats on a good cause and your tenacity.

Dec 11, 2008 01:59 AM
Michelle Pimentel
Empire Home Staging Solutions - Upland, CA
ASP, IAHSP Empire Home Staging

Audrey,

That's fantastic!  Congratulations on over exceeding your goal, I am sure all of your company's efforts and the donations of others will make this season at the Maryland Food Bank, very memorable!

Dec 14, 2008 07:59 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Audrey...What a wonderful holiday this will be for all of you, not just the recipients of your food drive, but also all of you that donated.

Kate

Dec 16, 2008 07:19 AM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Audrey, That is so exciting and for such a worthy cause.  I often wonder if other people are reading my post but you are the example that they are.

Dec 18, 2008 08:06 AM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

All I have to say is:

  • ActiveRain rocks!
  • ActiveRain rolls!
  • ActiveRain rules!

Well, and this, too:

  • Audrey rocks!
  • Audrey rolls!
  • Audrey rules!

Thanks for helping our food banks! Best wishes for health, happiness, peace, and prosperity!

Dec 21, 2008 09:12 AM
Anonymous
Gifts For One Gifts For All

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Dec 28, 2008 04:04 AM
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