Jonesboro, AR

Just got finished reading Tinker's blog on our trip to the nursing home on Sat. I agree with her 100%, it was a trip well worth spending part of an afternoon there. I know that some will get to go home on Christmas day, some won't and I also know that the stuffed bears that we gave them won't magically make it special for them but I also know what I saw when I walked in and said Ho Ho Ho.... the majority of them smiled and or laughed. The little lady in her wheel chair that ask Santa if he was the guy that called bingo for them and ended up telling him that last year she sat on his lap and gave him a kiss on the cheek (she also gave him one this year) then there was the lady from Shug town that jump up from getting her nails done just to give Santa and his helpers a big hug and last but not least the 95 yr old that showed us that she can still dance a jig...they were all glad to see us. There were also the ones that were bed bound....some awake, some asleep, that when they wake up and find a stuffed bear on the bed with them....well maybe it will bring back a good memory of Christmas's gone by.....I have a friend that goes with his church on a weekly basis to this nursing home that came home on Sunday afternoon and called me to tell me that they had a couple show up with their bears....and were still laughing and talking about Santa's trip there....Well folks, that should tell us all that it was worth taking a little time out of our so called busy lives to spread a little cheer.

I would like to thank Neva for getting the ball rolling this year to get the bears that we needed and to the rest of Santa's helpers for staying on me to make sure that I ended up going....it was well worth my afternoon....

I hope the holiday season brings you all the joy and good times that you deserve....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

David

Last Saturday our Century 21 Indian Realty loaded up Santa Claus and our little elf Laney Gardner and headed to our local nursing home. Once we got there the staff directed us around to all the rooms. Santa and our little elf passed out teddy bears all the residents loved getting the bears and a big bear hug from Santa. Some of the rooms we visited would not let you leave they just wanted an ear to listen to them and a friendly smile. I thought of all the wisdom and great stories these folks could tell us all. Some of them dont have alot of family to visit them so they are so excited to have company. I really enjoyed the time we spent there and I know the other agents loved it too. I hope we do this again next year and yes David we voted you Santa again next year too. You are a wonderful Santa and your kindness for the older folks was amazing, thank you for sharing a good spirit with each person there. MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

The Salvation Army bell ringers officially kicked off nationwide on Thanksgiving Day and will continue through Christmas Eve. The money from this project will provide assistance throughout the year. The Jonesboro Salvation Army has started asking for volunteers to be a bell ringer for one day in December. This includes elected officials,community leaders, and businesses which include real estate professionals. It is called "Celebrity Bell Ringers" day. Our office Century 21 Indian Realty joined in again this year. My bell ringing this year was at our local Sams club. I will say I am so proud of our town we came through again. Our red kettle was over flowing with money. Almost everyone who entered Sams dug deep into their pockets to give something. As they gave we also passed out candy canes and wished them all Merry Christmas. I challenge all my fellow real estate agents during this wonderful Holiday Season as you pass by stores and there is Salvation Army bell ringers please give what you can. This is a great way to help those in need. I think as we work in our community we also should serve in our community as well. I had a wonderful time today and I will give my time as a "Celebrity Bell Ringer" again next year. This is a great idea to volunteer for this you might be able to pass this idea on in your community as well. I will say the "Celebrity Bell Ringers" is a success in Jonesboro.

I would like to hear from my Active rain friends on your community service in your hometown. Please give back to your community its the greatest feeling. Hope you all have a Happy Holiday and a blessed 2009.

I would like to thank all our veterans who have served and who are serving this country HAPPY VETERANS DAY!! Thank you for making the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA a free country. I have had the pleasure of working with several veterans and I always tell them how proud I am for their service. I was showing a very nice man a house today and when I was asking him about a loan he said I have a VA loan. So today on Veterans Day I had the honor of working with this gentleman and he talked for a long time about his service to his country. My uncle was a pow so I am always so thankful for all service men and woman. I am currently working with a young soldier who will be deployed on Dec. 5th. I have had the pleasure of working with several veterans this year and I must say they all have been a joy to work with. HAPPY VETERANS DAY!!!

All summer gas prices in Jonesboro topped almost $4.00 gal. Today as I was getting gas it was so nice to see it at $1.88 gal. It is getting close to the holidays and if you have to travel far you will appreciate the price going down. I drive a yukon so anyone who drives a suv understands we are real proud to have gas prices go down. I also think as gas prices drop we all will have a little more money to spend on other things instead of putting it in our tanks. This will hopefully help spur our economy. I know these prices wont last long, but lets enjoy it while we can.

So what are the gas prices in your neighborhood!