Realtors are AMAZING at coming together during a local crisis. If a tornado rips through town, guess who’s gathering to raise money and clean up? Realtors. If there’s an earthquake, guess who organizes during and long after to tend to victims? Realtors. They’re an often overlooked part of the frontlines – they care about their communities, and rise to serve so frequently. They don’t send out press releases, they don’t pat themselves on the back, no, the community typically gathers to just do the right thing.
Offering a safe place
Thankfully, the world tends to recognize these good Samaritans anyways, because they certainly deserve it. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the story of Christian West-Howard.
Howard works in real estate and property management in Boca Raton, FL. After the tragic death of 49 people in the Orlando night club shooting, he decided to help the victims of this tragedy by opening up his rental properties, free of charge. He put out this call on Facebook, where it was shared over 30,000 times!
The call started a movement
According to the Realtor.org blog, West-Howard also donated rooms through local hotels. All in all, his efforts sheltered 250 family members for free.
Other headed his call. On June 29, The Orlando Regional Real Estate Association (ORRA) donated $25,000 to the Orlando Regional REALTOR Foundation to provide additional support to victims and their relatives. According to their announcement, their funds will go towards the following items:
- Assisting with rent or mortgage payments for those who are now unable to work;
- Finding homes for families that are moving to Orlando to care for loved ones;
- Relocating survivors who rent but now need ADA and accessibility features and providing moving services; and
- Retrofitting wheelchair-bound victims’ own homes with assistance equipment.
Awed and humbled
“I am awed and humbled by Christian’s take-charge response to this tragic event that has impacted our entire community, and proud to call him a fellow REALTOR® and ORRA member,” says ORRA President John Lazenby. We here at The Real Daily are also in awe. Thank you, Christian, for your kindness, and thank you to all realtors who stand by their communities in times of trouble.
#AboveAndBeyond
