In its exhaustive effort to make contact with all 728 of its real estate associates in the Gulf Coast area, Keller Williams Realty International has confirmed the whereabouts of about 400 associates.

The Austin, Texas-based real estate franchise operation, which confirmed that eight of its market centers were either destroyed or damaged by Hurricane Katrina, has set up a 24-hour hotline (866-591-2737) for associates to call, check-in and get assistance. Keller Williams Realty also has posted a special link on its website that takes associates to a support page with details of the company's assistance plan.

Last week within a three-day period, Keller Williams Realty associates across North America raised more than $1.2 million in cash and pledges for their fellow associates in the Gulf Coast region. The donations were collected through KW Cares, the 501(c) 3 public charity supported by Keller Williams Realty associates nationwide, which continues to raise money for Keller Williams Realty associates affected by Hurricane Katrina. To date, KW Cares as already put money in the hands of 250 displaced associates.

Also, in the week following the hurricane, Keller Williams Realty International formed a crisis management team to develop and implement a long-term assistance campaign called Heart to Heart. The campaign calls for the company's 480 market centers that were not affected by the hurricane to "adopt" Gulf Coast area Keller Williams Realty associates and their families to help rebuild their businesses and their lives.

"This adoption system allows us to take care of the needs of our associates on a personal basis -- fiscally, emotionally and physically," says Bob Kilinski of Atlanta, Ga., owner of the Keller Williams Realty New Orleans market center and co-owner of the company's Southeast Region. "Within a 48-hour period, we can get funds to our associates in need. We just need to hear from them. Please make contact."

The Heart to Heart campaign, initiated by Kilinski, a native of New Orleans, La., also provides housing and job placement opportunities for displaced Keller Williams Realty associates.

"Our culture is faced with the greatest challenge in its history; it is a disaster of major proportions to our Keller Williams family," says CEO Mo Anderson. "Heart to Heart is a campaign that will meet the immediate and long-term needs of the associates we call family."

About KW Cares:

Established in 2003, Keller Williams Realty Cares, or KW Cares, is a 501(c)3 public charity that is supported by Keller Williams Realty associates and offices across North America. The charity provides emergency financial assistance to members of the Keller Williams Realty family during times of extreme hardship.

Last year, KW Cares raised more than $800,000 in aid, which helped to pay bills, pay insurance deductibles and medical expenses for many associates. All gifts to KW Cares are tax deductible and go directly to those who are in need. For more information, visit KW Cares online.

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Founded in 1983, Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the fifth-largest and fastest growing residential brand in North America, with 488 offices and nearly 50,000 associates. The company's agent-centric culture emphasizes access to leading-edge education and promotes an economic model that rewards associates as stakeholders and partners. Keller Williams Realty, which began franchising in 1990, is growing by 1,500 associates a month. Keller Williams Realty associates place high value on professional education and a full-time commitment to real estate sales.

Published: September 12, 2005

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