Each year, on the second Thursday of May, tens of thousands of Keller Williams agents across the US and Canada participate in RED Day. RED Day, which stands for Renew, Energize and Donate, is an initiative dedicated to celebrating Keller Williams Realty’s year-round commitment to improving our local communities. Agents devote their time, in a wide range of projects, to renewing and energizing aspects of the neighborhoods in which they serve.
RED Day initiatives run the gamut from rebuilding homes, refurbishing local parks, giving to local food shelters, hosting blood drives, beautifying beaches and so much more. Projects are chosen by each individual market center based on a need they see within its community.
Recognizing her leadership in guiding the culture of our company, RED Day is held in honor of Mo Anderson, Vice Chairman of the Board, Keller Williams Realty. This event is an entrenched part of Keller Williams Realty’s culture and displays the extraordinary effect a company can have when individuals come together to work as a team for the greater good of everyone.
I have participated in five RED Days since joining this amazing company, however, for my first today, I joined our Keller Williams Team in donating time, energy, products and money to Lafayette House in Joplin. Although I am very familiar with the wonderful services that this non-profit organization provides, this was my first time to visit there.
Founded in 1978, Lafayette House provides a safe environment for women and children whose lives have been touched by abuse and addiction. Working collaboratively, Lafayette House promotes self-sufficiency through education and encouragement while constantly striving to address the evolving needs of their clients and the community. They also offer alcohol and drug abuse treatment for women, provide behavioral health services for women, children and families and run a licensed child care facility that specializes in caring for children from violent and/or chemically dependent families. Their resale store, Second Chances, gives 100% of the store’s profits toward funding and programs for the women and children staying in the shelter. Clients of Lafayette House are able to get the items they need for their families from the shop, free of charge.
What a wonderful organization, making a huge difference in the lives of many people. Our team tackled several projects at Lafayette House, including an extensive kitchen and utility room makeover, donations of a variety of much needed items and landscaping, fence building and the installation of a swing set. I joined the landscaping group and we worked diligently and quickly to finish before the rain and thunderstorms hit Joplin this afternoon. My office also incorporates an additional event we call Cookout for a Cause, offering $5.00 lunches that include a grilled hamburger or hotdog, chips, cookie and a drink, to individuals and companies, with all proceeds going to our selected charity. Lafayette House will receive all the money from the sale of these lunches.
Many, many hours go into RED Day, even before the actual day, with extremely dedicated people overseeing the event and the cookout. Local companies and affiliates donate food, materials, money, needed items and in some cases, their time to make RED Day a success. As Mark Ozman, an agent with the Indianapolis/Carmel Market Center said, “RED Day isn’t about cleaning up a park. It is a one-day expression of what happens 24/7 in the Keller Williams culture. It is seeing a need, discovering who can meet that need and then getting it done.”
I agree wholeheartedly, and I am so proud to be a part of a company that lives its culture and gives to its community!