Press Releases 2009-presidential-campaigns

Mar 10, 2009

MONTGOMERY, ALA- Joe Rhodes, President of the Alabama Association of REALTORS® (AAR), has challenged the REALTORS® of Alabama to "Make A Difference" by contributing to his three  campaigns, a can food drive, a blood drive and donating to the USO Phone Cards for Soldiers.

The "We CAN Make A Difference" food drive was launched during REALTOR® Day at the Capitol. REALTORS® are encouraged to bring nonperishable canned food items to every local luncheon or event. The local boards will keep count of how much is donated and take the donated items to the local area food bank. At state meetings AAR will accept the donations and inform the local boards of the amount donated by their members. This year AAR will hold the 83rd Annual Convention in Chattanooga, TN. The Tennessee Association of REALTORS®(TAR) is traveling to Alabama for its state convention. AAR has challenged TAR to a Canned Food Drive Challenge to see who will bring the most cans to their state convention. All cans will be left in the respective states. An award for the most canned food items donated by a local board will be given at the state convention.

The "Biggest Loser Blood Drive" will kick off at the summer meeting on June 3, 2009.  AAR has reserved a conference room at the Perdido Beach Resort for the Red Cross. Times to donate blood will be announced. Local associations/boards will be responsible for hosting blood drives in their areas. This campaign will end at the September convention in Chattanooga, Tenn.  President Rhodes will present the association/board who gives the most blood with the “Biggest Loser Blood Drive” award.

The "USO Phone Cards for Soldiers" campaign will begin at the state convention in Chattanooga, Tenn. September, 2009 and end November 30, 2009. This cut-off date will insure the soldiers receive the cards in time for the holidays. The local associations/boards will be responsible for collecting donations and sending the donations to the USO. The association executives and local board presidents will receive information on how to submit their donations.