Here at REVStaffing, we occasionally spotlight the “good works” done by our virtual assistants; we take our company goal of serving with a servant’s heart seriously. Today, we’re delighted to spotlight one of our clients – Massachusetts Realtor Karen Christiansen King – for the fantastic community work she’s been doing in her area since a tornado ripped through the town of Monson several months ago. Recently, Karen received the Massachusetts Association of Realtors’ Good Neighbor Award – as well as $1,500.00 for the Monson Tornado Volunteer Effort.
So, how did this wonderful effort come about? In the wake of the tornado, Karen’s group of “street angels” (so called because one resident dubbed Karen “an angel” for her early efforts), began meeting on weekends at a local park. They spearheaded and coordinated volunteer efforts to help those whose homes – and lives – were ravaged by the tornado.
Karen says, “Everybody needs a hug. Everybody needs to tell their story. We tell them there’s hope.”
The volunteers worked tirelessly to determine the needs of those hit, as well as to keep their neighbors informed about upcoming events. Sometimes, all the residents want to do is to share their story, to talk about how the tornado affected them, so the angels provided listening ears.
Karen quickly became one of the go-to people in town after the tornado. She worked tirelessly, helping displaced people find new housing, participating in the volunteer effort at the First Church of Monson, and starting the angels. Using a street list from the assessor’s office, the angels were able to locate every tornado-damaged home in Monson.
With a grant from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, the angels, in collaboration with the First Church, paid for rental equipment and machinery for the clean-up effort. Karen says the angels were “just neighbors helping other neighbors … if they had questions, they gave us a call.”
Karen says that the angels will continue going out, and continue helping, for as long as there is a need.
“Next to being a parent, this is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Karen says.
Watch future blogs for updates on our REVStaffing clients’ “extracurricular” activities. We are professionals, dedicated to helping you to grow and nurture your successful business. We encourage you to give us a call for a free needs analysis; we’ll be happy to discuss ALL of your unique business needs! And be sure to visit our website, and “like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RevstaffingVAs.
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©REVStaffing, 2011