Daily Real Estate News  |  September 8, 2005  |   Real Estate Brokerages Turn Focus to Katrina Aid From the devastated U.S. Gulf Coast to the Pacific Northwest, real estate companies are making an unprecedented push to channel funds to households struggling to rebuild their lives after Hurricane Katrina. “When good people hear stories of great generosity, they naturally ask, ‘What can I do?’” says Gary Keller, chairman of Keller Williams Realty Inc., in Austin, Texas. “I know the outpouring of support is just beginning.” With about 1,000 sales associates in franchise affiliated companies in the Gulf Coast area, and only a fraction of them accounted for a week after the storm, Keller Williams has launched an effort to locate and channel assistance to displaced practitioners. The company had raised more than $1.2 million as of Tuesday through its Keller Williams Realty Cares (KW Cares) fund, and is coordinating housing and other help—including matching practitioners with sales positions in other offices—on its Web site. Companies farther from the center of the storm are taking action as well. And an outpouring of generosity from companies have contributed to a total of $2,387,861 million raised as of this morning by the REALTORSŪ Relief Foundation, administered by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSŪ, including $1.15 million contributed by NAR. Parsippany, N.J.-based Cendant Corp., parent company of the Coldwell Banker, Century 21, and ERA real estate franchise companies, is matching up to $500,000 in American Red Cross contributions from brokers and sales associates in the three brands. NRT Inc., Cendant’s giant brokerage subsidiary, is matching up to $100,000 in Red Cross contributions. “Word has gone out to everyone in the system and we’re providing direct links to the Red Cross on our Web sites,” says Kevin Doell, company spokesperson. Along with the American Red Cross, brokerage companies are encouraging their brokers and sales associates to donate money to the REALTORSŪ Relief Foundation and the United Way of America, among other charities. Jim Weichert, founder and president of Morris Plains, N.J.-based Weichert, REALTORSŪ, is matching Red Cross contributions from his company’s affiliated brokers and associates on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The combined donation will be given to the American Red Cross on Friday. And Wes Foster, CEO of Fairfax, Va.-based Long & Foster Companies, is donating $200,000 to the Red Cross and encouraging contributions from the company's brokers and associates. Another $200,000 is expected, says Juli Verrier, company spokesperson. Regional brokerage John L. Scott Real Estate, based in Seattle, launched a contribution drive for the REALTORSŪ Relief Foundation with a $10,000 corporate donation and has sent a call for donations via e-mail to its brokers and associates with a link to the NAR fund. The company also is working with officials to provide assistance to some 2,000 residents from the Gulf Coast being evacuated to McCord Air Force Base in Washington state, although the type of assistance they’ll provide hasn’t been determined yet. “Whatever they need, we’re ready to help,” says Shelley Rossi, John L. Scott director of public relations. Other big names in the business, including RE/MAX International and HomeServices of America, the country’s second largest brokerage owner with more than 18,000 sales associates in 18 companies, are encouraging their people to make contributions to charities of their choice. “We just ask that they donate generously,” says Bill Echols, RE/MAX vice president of public relations. Southern regional brokerage Crye-Leike, REALTORSŪ, based in Memphis, Tenn., is working with America's Second Harvest, a national food bank network, to help drive food donations for relocated families. “There are 20,000 displaced families just in Nashville,” says Joyce Friedman, Crye-Leike public relations director. “We’re encouraging people to hold a drive for their local food bank. Getting healthy food to people is one of the greatest needs right now.” The company also is encouraging donations to the REALTORSŪ Relief Foundation, American Red Cross, and the United Way, its main charity partner. Among other assistance companies are providing:

Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Irvine, Calif., announced that donations through Oct. 12 from brokers and associates to the Prudential Cares Disaster Relief Fund are matched dollar-for-dollar by the parent company.

Ebby Halliday, REALTORSŪ, Dallas, made a call for donations via e-mail with links to half a dozen charities, including the REALTORSŪ Relief Foundation, the Humane Society of the United States, and Water Missions International, which makes fresh water available to disaster victims.

Realty Executives International, Phoenix, seeded an internal hurricane relief fund and is calling for contributions.

United Country Real Estate, Kansas City, Mo., is matching contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis to the American Red Cross, with a goal to raise $100,000.

GMAC Real Estate, Oak Brook, Ill., has announced that parent company General Motors has donated $400,000 and is matching employee and affiliate contributions to the American Red Cross. —Robert Freedman for REALTORŪ Magazine Online