EXIT Realty makes pledge to the American Red Cross

Challenges EXIT offices, agents and other real estate firms to do the same

EXIT MidSouth makes a financial pledge to the American Red Cross for the Tennessee Flood Disaster Fund.  This financial contribution is in addition to the many efforts of local EXIT offices and EXIT agents that have been helping families with food, water, shelter, clean up, and the rebuilding process.

EXIT MidSouth operates a regional sub-franchise for EXIT Realty Corp. International in Tennessee and Kentucky for over 5 years with the regional office being located in Franklin, TN.    A week ago this region suffered massive flooding due to two consecutive days of rainfall that exceeded record rainfalls for the entire month of May. Exit MidSouth has thrived in the recent economy growing sales units by 49% from 2008 to 2009 and a similar trend is already revealing itself for 2010 and thus wants to provide assistance to the families and friends that have lost so much, so swiftly in this flood.

As corporate citizens of Tennessee and Kentucky, EXIT MidSouth has pledged to donate $5 to the American Red Cross for each home bought or sold under the EXIT brand within our region during the month of May 2010 retro-active to May 1st when the rains began.  CEO of EXIT MidSouth, Jean Marie Grumbles said, “We know this is but one way to help our great region rebuild from this disaster. We have agents and offices across the states of Tennessee and Kentucky who are working with various agencies in addition to this financial contribution. EXIT Realty is a company built around people. We are a caring and nurturing real estate company and the compassion and dedication to community are evident during this difficult time.”

Further to the per transaction donation EXIT MidSouth is challenging all 34 offices in the region to donate $5 per transaction from their office and all agents to do the same with a $5 donation per transaction that they are involved in during May. According to Grumbles, “$5 may not seem like a lot but as a top 10 real estate company in the entire Middle Tennessee MLS when we challenge our franchisees and our agents involved in those transactions to both match our pledge for a possible total of $15 per sale transaction we are talking about thousands and thousands of relief dollars to the American Red Cross. As we know the scope and long lasting effects that this will have on the region we know that our contribution is only a tiny morsel in the grand scheme of this road to recovery, however, we know that a small ripple in a large pond can still generate great things. That is why we also extend our challenge to other real estate companies and agents to match our pledge to support the recovery and rebuilding of communities involved with this record setting flood.”

EXIT MidSouth is challenging other real estate firms in the region and across the country to also make a pledge for the month of May, retroactively. EXIT MidSouth has set up a link on their website for you to make the donation directly to the Red Cross. Visit www.ExitMidSouth.com to make your donation. You can do so $5 at a time or in one lump sum for the month of May and agents do not need to have their companies participate in order to give and are invited to donate at anytime.

EXIT MidSouth will kick-off the donations at training events already scheduled for this week with a collection box for checks and cash to the American Red Cross. The training will be conducted by EXIT corporate trainer Jeff Lobb and the events will be held in Lousiville, KY and Knoxville, Franklin, and Clarksville, TN over the next four days as part of EXIT Realty’s Mind-Set Training Program.

Amy Kerr of the American Red Cross has been working with EXIT MidSouth on this effort and provided the following numbers as it relates to what the American Red Cross has been able to provide to the flood victims as of May 10, 2010.

	To Date
Shelters Open	32
Shelter Overnight Stays	3,671
Meals Served	56,998
Snacks Served	50,220
Emergency Response Vehicles on the ground	44
Health Services Consultations	1,910
Mental Health Consultations	1,417
Clean-up Kits Distributed	12,548
Comfort Kits Distributed	7,461
Red Cross Workers	1,490

 “EXIT MidSouth would like to thank all the volunteers who have taken time to help whether it is a neighbor or stranger. Each person does make a difference in the lives of others, thank you,” said Grumbles.

Individuals in need of Red Cross assistance can call 1-866-GET-INFO (1-866-438-4636).