Although the Good Neighbor Awards highlight Realtors efforts in the community once a year, they cannot truly capture the full scope of what Realtors are doing in neighborhoods all across the country. This blog post is about one such agent...a lady with Keller Williams in Grand Rapids, Michigan named Michelle Gordon AND a project which is transforming homes and engaging the commitment of volunteers all across West Michigan called F.L.O.W...Friends Landscaping Our World.
Michelle moved to the Grand Rapids, Michigan area approximately 7 years ago not knowing anyone. She quickly built up her business and the referrals started coming in. She soon realized that the economic downturn in Michigan had affected lower income neighborhoods severly and left many new home owners without the resources to landscape their yards. Never one to miss a challenge, she created a non-profit organization with a vision to change people's lives.
Visit Michelle's Blog to read more about a remarkable project that is Renewing Grand Rapids, Michigan neighborhoods...One Yard At A Time! And...watch the show to see proof that Friends Helping Others F.L.O.W. is a wonderful concept which we hope will start in Grand Rapids and Flow to other cities across the nation.When you meet or speak with Michelle Gordon, a Keller Williams agent in Grand Rapids, Mi you can't escape one thing...her Passion!
Michelle is a woman on a mission to change Grand Rapids, Michigan neighborhoods one yard at a time. This compassion for others is transforming our community. Here's Michelle in her own words:
"I am Michelle Gordon – Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. I work with many lower income families. Due to the current Real Estate market, homes have become very affordable. The ones that are the MOST affordable happen to be homes that have been vacant for a long time. Therefore you can imagine what the yards must look like."
For many real estate agents, the sale of a home at an affordable price would be the success story. Not for Michelle.
Over the last year, Michelle has enlisted the support of the Women's Council of Realtors and several landscaping companies and a host of volunteers.
Together, they are landscaping homes in communities hit hard by the economic downturn in Michigan and restoring Pride of Ownership.
Join FLOW for a Garden Party:
September 27, 2007
At: Sans Chez Bistro
When: 6 ~9 p.m.
*Vote on Your Favorite Yard Transformation.
To Make a Donation Contact:
Mary Kent mkent@kentcountyhome.com
To read more about Michelle's story and to join the FLOW Movement, visit her on her blog:
http://friendslandscapingourworld.blogspot.com/2008/01/personal-thoughts-from-michelle-gordon.html
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Grand Rapids, Michigan Real Estate including information on local real estate market conditions and insights from Lola Audu ~l Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate Broker.
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Lola, what an wonderful thing to do to honor a Realtor in your community. I loved the show and will now go check out her blog. You are such a gracious person!
The Women's Council of Realtors in Grand Rapids, Michigan has taken up the F.L.O.W. project for the 2008 year. It is our hope to be able to landscape 30 homes this year! The Garden Tour will feature Outdoor Art from Local artists placed within each of the newly landscaped gardens.
Tour tickets will be available and the program will also feature a Live/Silent Auction for the art pieces displayed in the gardens to raise money for future projects. Don't forget to mark you calendar for September 27th at Sans Chez ...one of my Recommended Grand Rapids Favorite Restaurants to Vote for your Favorite Garden.
Missy, Thank you...but the honor is for Michelle for investing her efforts and passion in making a difference in the lives of others.
Wonderful story Lola. With that spirit, Michigan will be ready to thrive soon.
Thank you Lenn. One of the things Michelle shared with me is that when a neighborhood F.L.O.W. home is completed, others in the community feel inspired to work on their yards. The excitement is contagious. We're looking forward to seeing this grow and catch fire in Grand Rapids and beyond.
Very nice gesture Lola and what a great concept. We need more of this across the board.
Lola, what an inpiration Michelle is...and what a wonderful friend she has in you!
Jason, It is a great concept & it will be exciting to see it grow. Somehow I don't think that it will stop in Grand Rapids! :)
Michelle has a giving heart. It's important to highlight the ways in which real estate agents like Michelle and others are enriching our local communities. Thanks Linda.
Lola-incredible...love the show...Realtors many times do not get the recognition that they deserve...most realtors I know give more than they ever get credit for!
Lola - what a wonderful program Michelle has come up with. She is definitely paying it forward. Thanks for letting us in on it!
Thanks for the comment Midori. Michelle's blog gives more details than I was able to go into here. But it really is a worthy effort.
You're Welcome. I love that term..."Paying it Forward!"
I simply love this! Another wonderful example of how we all can help eachother, just like MFFO's. We can make a difference.
I am sure it is because of her service to others that referrals and customers are pouring in. I think it is a great thing.
Thank you Lola for your blog about this wonderful project! You do such an awesome job! I am so honored to be part of this and to work w/Michelle Gordon as well as ICCF and the West Michigan Chapter of Womens Council! So, watch out new home owners in Grand Rapids MI, We'll be there soon!!
Michelle, Thanks for stopping by to leave a comment. It is wonderful to see what you're doing. I really enjoyed talking with you and hearing the passion in your heart for reaching out to help others. Everyone has a part to play. You have the vision, Women's Council of Realtors in Grand Rapids, under the capable leadership of Mary Mishler and others enlarge it and volunteers of all varieties lend their skill and talents. I'm glad that it is possible for me to support this beautiful effort in this way.
Yes, Diane...It's incredible the difference that committed and passionate people can make when they are working towards a common goal. I see you've done a couple of posts for Mothers Fighting for Others. I'm working on the inspiration for mine. :)
Latonia...I think that when people meet Michelle, they are drawn to her passion and desire to help and serve others. Thanks for stopping by to read and comment on this post.
Hi Mary, Thanks for stopping by and I appreciate your comment. It's wonderful to know that a wonderful organization like ICCF is also involved along with the Women's Coucil of Realtors, area landscaping companies and Sans Chez restaurant. Organizations and businesses like this play such an important role in the fabric of our communities.
Kudos to Michelle.
And kudos to you, Lola. You shine brighter by helping others shine!
Great Post Lola! I am excited about getting involved in this!
Hi Joey, Thanks for stopping by to read and comment.
Hi Steve, This is a very worthy project. I'm glad that I am able to help in this way.
Sounds like a worthy cause. I would like to know where these"yards" are so i can see them for myself.
Thanks for stopping by to help clarify and assist with Robert's question Michelle. :)