Keller Williams Realty raises $4M for Katrina survivors

Keller Williams Realty raises more than$4M for Katrina survivors

AUSTIN, TEXAS (Dec. 09, 2005) - In a concerted effort to help its Gulf States market centers recover from Hurricane Katrina, Keller Williams Realty Inc. and its public charity, Keller Williams Realty Cares (KW Cares) has raised $4.4 Million.The amount is not far behind the collective fundraising efforts of the National Association of REALTORS®, which has raised $5.8 million for hurricane relief.

Keller Williams Realty Vice Chairman Mo Anderson says Keller Williams Realty's giving culture has enabled the real estate franchise operation to "respond meaningfully" to its associates in need. As of mid-November, individual donations from Keller Williams Realty's 55,000 associates had reached $3.4 million. Additionally, the company's 500-plus market centers across the United States and Canada had donated $945,000 - earmarking 10 percent of their profits to KW Cares.

"We are making history in real estate with KW Cares, which has been supporting our associates in times of extreme hardship since 2003," Anderson says. "At Keller Williams Realty, we believe you have to give to get, and we're determined to hit our goal of raising $5 million for our Gulf States associates."

In addition to the fundraising campaign, KW Cares launched a long-term relief program called Heart 2 Heart, which is helping more than 700 Keller Williams Realty associates rebuild their lives and businesses. The adoption program enables volunteer Keller Williams Realty market centers in other regions to assist specific Gulf States associates impacted by Hurricane Katrina.