National Association of Realtors President Richard Mendenhall and President-elect Martin Edwards, Jr. sent an e-mail to 370,000 Realtors asking for contributions to the NAR's mortgage relief fund for the New York City disaster victims' families. They didn't have to wait long for a response.

"We heard immediately from some state associations and real estate companies," says NAR spokesperson Steve Cook. "As of 5 o'clock yesterday, we received $9,000 and had collected about $30,200 by phone and those were just credit card contributions."

And that was before the fund was set up to receive online donations. "That number should go into the hundreds of thousands of dollars," says Cook. "We expect a tremendous response from that."

The NAR has already announced a pledge of its own for $1 million, and hopes that the Realtor community will match or exceed that number.

"Dear Fellow REALTOR:

Like us, I'm sure that you were shocked, angered and saddened at the terrorist tragedies that hit the World Trade Center and the Pentagon Tuesday.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the innocent victims of these terrible acts of terror and to the brave fire, law enforcement and emergency personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.

No doubt many of the families of yesterday's victims own homes and may lack insurance or other means to meet their coming mortgage payments. Other victims' families who rent may not be able to meet future rental costs without help.

Let us resolve that NO FAMILY suffering from yesterday's tragedies will be forced to lose the place they CALL HOME.

NAR yesterday established the REALTORS Housing Relief Fund to raise money to assist victims' families in need to have the necessary assistance to meet their housing costs.

NAR has opened the Fund with an initial commitment of one million dollars. We are asking state and local associations and boards to contribute what they can.

As an individual REALTOR, YOU CAN HELP AS WELL. The REALTORS Housing Relief Fund is one way that Americans nationwide, most especially REALTORS -- can contribute directly to help those in greatest need.

EVERY PENNY of your personal donation will go directly to assist a family in real need. Your contributions also will be tax deductible.

We ask you as REALTORS to open your heart. Do not waiver but rather take a stand against this attack on our national security and most importantly make a positive difference in the lives of these innocence victims.

Information on the REALTORS Housing Relief Fund is available on www.OneRealtorPlace.com or by calling 1-800-874-6500.

Please join us in showing how REALTORS nationwide make a difference by helping our fellow Americans in this time of national tragedy.

In addition, we encourage every REALTOR in America to display the American Flag in response to our collective resolve.

Sincerely,

Richard Mendenhall

President

Martin Edwards, Jr.

President Elect"

Published: September 14, 2001

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