Serve: A Special Serve Day with a Lasting Impact
“This day . . . is a tangible reminder to our families that they are cared for and loved.”
“RED Day is an annual service day, but this year our agents were so touched by the cause, we had the largest turnout and donations we’ve ever had,” shared Tommi Cornelius, Keller Williams real estate agent.
This spring for their annual RED Day serve effort, a group of nearly 40 Keller Williams Metro South agents from the Alabaster area and many of their vendors came together and served moms and children in our Alabaster Family Care home. The difference they made is both immediate and long-lasting.
Cami Jones is Family Care House Manager for our Alabaster campus. She frequently hosts groups that give their time and resources to serve our mothers and children who, through a variety of difficult circumstances, have found themselves needing a safe home and a fresh start.
Because of COVID, Cami shared that our onsite volunteer efforts had to come to a halt last year for many months. As a result, there were quite a few needs in this seven-family, apartment-style home, both inside and outside. These volunteers rose to the occasion and met each need with joy and in a way that exceeded our expectations.
SERVING WITH HEART
The RED in RED Day stands for Renew, Energize, and Donate, and it is an annual, worldwide event. On that day, over 170,000 agents, leadership members, associates, and vendors take part in giving back to their local communities.
Kaye Cash, Team Leader at Keller Williams Metro South shares, “RED Day began 12 years ago as a way to give back and honor then CEO and now Board Member, Mo Anderson. We already had a culture of service here, but she really brought it to the forefront, teaching us how important it is to serve others. And while RED Day isn’t the only day we serve, it’s nice to know that on that day, everyone’s focus is on that. It’s amazing what can happen in a day.”
Selecting our Family Care home to serve this year, Agent Tommi Cornelius, along with Agent Theresa McMichen and Agent Kevin Jones, coordinated this project, working with sponsors and our staff to make sure each need was covered and that the day ran smoothly.
Tommi says, “We were able to do everything Cami asked for . . . She gives back every day, so it felt good to give back one day.”
On this day, 36 volunteers from Keller Williams Metro South came to serve, which was the highest turnout they’ve ever had. They planted ten, 8-foot trees to increase privacy around our home, planted flowers and laid mulch, power washed, cleaned carpets, painted the shared playroom, laid sod, and more!
Other generous companies they work with from around the community also contributed to make the day happen, such as Alabama Professional Services (APS) who donated a year’s worth of weed and ant treatment, Motivated Movers who provided lunch for volunteers and residents, Jason Lee’s team at FirstBank who donated a large portion of the trees, Ally Property Inspections who donated funds, and Bob Blackerby of Blackerby Contracting who gave his time and shared his equipment to help with yard work and cleanup.
“Our agents were so touched by the cause, we had the largest turnout and donations we’ve ever had.”
FEELING THE IMPACT
We are so grateful to Keller Williams Metro South and each sponsor who gave generously of their time and resources to serve our moms and children in care. The service given on this one day will impact our families for years to come!
Cami adds, “Thank you so much to Mrs. Tommi Cornelius, Mrs. Theresa McMichen, Mr. Kevin Jones, and the entire Keller Williams team for allowing us to participate in RED Day 2021! We seek to provide a beautiful campus for our families as a place where they can feel welcomed, at home, safe, and where they can rest and heal from the difficult circumstances life has thrown their way.
“This day was so much bigger than just working in the yard or painting. It is a tangible reminder to our families that they are cared for and loved, not only by ABCH, but by so many others they may never meet. There is no way we could do our work and provide homes for kids and families without groups like Keller Williams!”
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Have you ever experienced the joy of coming together with a group of people to serve those in need in your own community? In the Book of Matthew, Jesus teaches us that when we serve the “least of these,” we are serving God himself (see chapter 25:34–40). What greater joy is there than to know we are ultimately worshipping God when we serve the people around us?
If your business or group is looking for a way to serve, we would love to help find an area to plug into. Because of the nature of what we do at ABCH, there are always opportunities to help meet the needs of those in our care. Whether it’s restocking a shortage in supplies, completing ongoing yard work, or providing the financial resources to continue serving with excellence, there is a place for you to serve our children and families in a way that fits your gifts and abilities!
Learn more about serve opportunities here.