NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ron Weaver (813) 222-5002 or Steve Holub (813) 716-0041
Family, Friends Celebrate Summertime, Support Tampa Real Estate Community with Fun-Filled Picnic
TAMPA, Fla. (August 20, 2010) – Families and friends, and even a Fido or two, gathered together recently at Philippe Park in Safety Harbor for an afternoon of food, fellowship and fun courtesy of Real Estate Lives (REL) volunteers and donations from eight generous corporate sponsors.
All told, REL ticket-taker Mary Ann Boyd signed in more than 100 picnickers of all ages for the feast that Tara Harris and her team at Masters Construction and Development: Rock Angell, Bruce Jonas, Jean Duran, and James Mitcheltree “bought, brought and cooked” , with the assistance of Jeff Feeley and Elaine and Jim Ruyle. The all American spread included a hamburgers, hotdogs with all the requisite sides and fixings, unlimited ice cold watermelon and a fabulous luau-theme cupcake dessert, courtesy of Christopher and Shay Moore of Granny Bubba Bakery.
Festivities including face painting by Ellen Mitchell of Vistra Communications, sack races and other games and colorful crafts provided by Sam Zein of Seamless Innovations, and a bouncy house and snow cone machine for the kids, courtesy of Masters Construction. Fishing, swimming, boating and jet skiing was also available for water-lovers to beat the heat, and everyone enjoyed having their pictures taken by master photographer David Lockwood. And in a special after-picnic celebration, Ed Kobel and Kathy DeForte of DeBartolo Development graciously donated movie passes and free beverages to four dozen attendees in transition and their children.
Donations were also provided by The Dohring Group, realwired!, Wagner Vaughan McLaughlin, P.A., FOCUS Real Estate Services, RRE Realty Advisors, JC Commercial
Brokers, L&W Commercial Property Management, Ron Burka, and Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.
“This was an unbelievable undertaking by a tremendous group of people who truly care and support those in our industry that have been hit the hardest by the economic downturn,” said Tara Harris, chairwoman of the event. “Being able to help our Rebounders relax and watching everyone simply enjoy quality time with family and friends was worth all the effort.”
“We sincerely appreciate the support we received from all involved,” said REL co-founder and chairman Ron Weaver. “It is because of people and companies like these that we are able to continue to provide the services we do, and help bring hope and fellowship to our neighbors in need during these difficult economic times.”
REL is an all-volunteer organization that helps those affected by the downturn in the real estate industry find counseling, retraining and job placement opportunities. Today the organization has more than 600 members, more than 400 of whom have found employment. There are more than 800 jobseekers (“REbounders”) and others in our online database, and REL has listed more than 1,400 jobs on its website, provided training for almost 700 people, and edited more than 250 resumes.
The organization and its volunteers provide a wide range of additional financial, legal and social services. This summer picnic is one of seven social events REL has held since its founding almost two years ago to provide fellowship and fun as well. Volunteers have also distributed Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas meals. REL has become a model for other communities from Naples to New York, and was asked to make a presentation to the national NAIOP convention in Washington, D.C. earlier this year.
For more information about Real Estate Lives, please visit our website at http://www.realestatelives.org or call Ron Weaver at 813-222-5002.