Brande Bradford... South Metro Atlanta Specialist

Trunk N Treat brought THOUSANDS of children and parents to our church at Community Bible Church on Sunday, October 26th. An hour after the event was suppose to be over, the last of the children made their way through the line.

We had 4 rows of trunks filled with treats. We had a soccer field of games and food. We had one heck of a great time, and the kids did too!

This year Bradford Realty Group decided we were going to go for the Fall Festive Trophy. We wanted something simple, but yet cute. We wanted festive, but yet not over the top. We must have done it just right! We WON!!

While the event was a lot of fun and really all about the kids, we could not let the opportunity go by to let others know about what it is that we do. It is a great time to hand out business cards, flyers, brochures, etc. Trunk N Treat is another example of how you can give to the community, but also share your business with others.

Last year, I received a listing from Trunk N Treat. I also received calls from people who had general questions. It really was a success on so many levels.

The more you are out and involved in the community, the more you will find success within your business. However, do not do it for the wrong reasons! The COMMUNITY MUST ALWAYS COME FIRST!!! If you give from the heart, you will be rewarded abundantly.

This year was a very creative year for the Trunker's. Some really put time and effort into their trunks. The smile on the children's faces, the rumbling of parent's laughter was all more than we could have expected. Trunk N Treat is an event, that we will NEVER miss!

Now to start preparing for next year! This year we planned for 3000, next year I think we better start at 4000!

A few weeks back, I made the announcement that Bradford Realty Group was expanding! I announced that our new Buyer's Agent, Alison Hunter was coming aboard.

Today, I get the pleasure of announcing that she has written her first offer as a member of Bradford Realty Group. And it is a CASH deal, don't we all love those? Alison actually took and passed her Real Estate test in September.

She does work full time, but has a goal of replacing that job eventually with Real Estate full time. The past week, after work she was out showing homes. Her family was at home, but she worked.

Alison is very passionate about her clients. She is passionate about everyone in her life. It is her passion that will make her successful in an industry that has people dropping out like flies.

Alison has a few other Buyer's that she is currently working with. One will also result in a listing in the near future.

If your looking for an agent who will put your desire and needs before anything else, call Alison today. Her motivation and abilities will not only amaze you, but they will prove very quickly that you have made the right decision to have her as your agent.

Alison, congrats as a team member. I knew you would be awesome, as your friend!

NOW: Go get that offer accepted and repeat it over and over!

We love community outreach programs. Nothing thrills us more than to reach out and touch a life of someone who is struggling. Even if it is for only a moment, the smile on their face makes it all worth while. We do make every effort to make the difference last a lot longer. Our latest community outreach project is below.

We were standing in a circle holding hands and waiting to pray, but we could not start the prayer. You see, people were.. Oh. I am getting ahead of myself. Let's start at the beginning.

A few hours earlier the Local Out-Team had gathered in the Community Bible Church parking lot preparing for our first attempt at our Community H.U.G. Cookout. H.U.G. - His Uplifting Grace. At the time we had no idea that His grace was going to be showered upon US.

We had decorated a stake-bed trailer with signs and streamers and loaded with tables, chairs, grills, clothing, and goodies. Food, drinks, deserts and other supplies were loaded in the trunks of cars. School supplies and crafts were also brought along, as well as balloons to decorate the site.

We had been out a few days earlier to pass out circulars announcing the event, but we did not know what to expect. All we knew was we were going to give it our best.

We arrived at the apartments in a loose procession. All of the team members cheerfully chipped in and within fifteen minutes we were set-up and grilling hot dogs and hamburgers.

Absent a live band, CD's containing modern Christian music was placed in car stereos, the music drifting out the open doors and windows.

At first it was a trickle, but within a few minutes the residents of the community were standing in line anxious for what we had to offer.

Some were sorting through the slightly used clothing draped over the rails of the trailer, most everyone finding something that fit. Children and adults alike was modeling their new threads with big smiles for our cameras.

Volunteers were playing football with some of the children and young adults while other kids were tossing the Frisbees or kicking around the soccer ball. Some children were making cross necklaces, asking what the cross was for. Others colored pictures, running across the parking lot in pride to show their parents their creation. Some played with their new toys while others selected from an assortment of school supplies. Several children gathered on a blanket at the edge of the festivities to hear about Jesus from one their own age, assisted by Pastor Jody.

The burgers and dogs went off the grills faster than we could put them on. We couldn't hardly keep up. We were so excited we never considered turning the grills around so the smoke would not blow in the faces of the teary eyed, smoke soaked cooks.

It was a family cookout, just like one you might hold in your back yard, except it was surrounded by ugly. Some residents sat in their cars smoking joints while others purchased beer from the man selling it by the can on the porch of one of the buildings. All were respectful enough of our efforts not to bring their vices into the area where the cookout was held.

We played, we held and we hugged. Residents feeling the tug of the Holy Spirit were prayed over at the prayer table and many received information about both Celebrate Recovery and our church. Eight households out of a total of 40 within the community signed up for the in-community bible study which will begin in a few weeks.

We do not know how many participated, but we served 80 hot dogs and about 100 hamburgers, if that is any indication. We did not force ourselves upon anyone, instead we drew them to us. We shared love.. the love of Christ.
At the end of the event, after the clean-up was complete one of the residents shouted 'Is that it? What about the prayer?' The volunteers gathered in the grass area, holding hands. But before we could start another resident would shout 'Wait for me!' and join our number. Then another, and then another. Within a few minutes we went from about 10 to 72, all standing in a huge circle around the circumference of the grassy area. We were all gathered together as one body in the name of the Lord.

Then we prayed.

Our Wonderful Volunteers!

It is my pleasure to announce that Alison Hunter has not only joined us here on Active Rain, but is also our newest Buyer's Agent at Bradford Realty Group.