You never know how big an idea is going to get.

When Realty Times contributor Joeann Fossland, founder of the Advantage Group Solutions, gets involved, it can go worldwide.

Fossland is spending her spare time launching a group called The Web Women Giving Circle to "empower women's projects in impoverished regions all over the globe." The Web Women Giving Circle is participating in a More Magazine challenge to help eradicate poverty that will benefit CARE, a humanitarian organization that specifically fights global poverty. Their goal? To raise $100,000 for CARE. More Magazine's goal for CARE is $1,000,000.

"I founded the Web Women Giving Circle in direct response to the CARE More Giving Circle Challenge," says Fossland. "My vision was to assemble a group of women who share a common goal to make a big difference in the lives of disadvantaged women in other parts of our world. The real estate industry is known to respond to challenges to help others and I know I can count on them again."

To sweeten the offer to help, Fossland is selling raffle tickets online for real estate professionals, with prizes valued at more than $45,000 and a Grand Prize worth more than $22,000 in real estate products and services, including web products, coaching services, books, virtual assistant services, training CDs from real estate luminaries, and much more.

The raffle was an idea of Amber Riviere, a virtual assistant and member of the group. She suggested putting together a package of everything a real estate agent needs to be successful and do a raffle. "As it has evolved, we have had generous contributions from Matt Ferrara, Dave Beson, Suzee Miller, and many others," says Fossland. "Additionally we have added premiums, ala PBS ... so they get $179 worth of goodies for buying a $20 ticket! The drawing is going to be on Nov. 18 at Miraval in Tucson. We have 6 packages that are pretty exciting and also will have some additional second chance items, books and such."

Fossland says More Magazines is inspiring to her. "When More Magazine put out their $1,000,000 challenge, my brain immediately thought -- they can do this, no problem," says Fossland. "They just need 10 Giving Circles to give $100,000 each! And then I thought, if I just got 19 other people to partner with me, we could each raise $5K and that would accomplish this."

She says she knows she isn't the only one to feel blessed. "I think the Katrina relief and the building of the Habitat Homes at the upcoming National Association of Realtors' convention is evidence that the real estate industry has a heart. This project spoke to me because it is about women making a difference for their children, family and communities. Having been a single mom on welfare many years ago, I know the difference a helping hand can make to put someone back on the road to success. So, I see the big picture is the story about the generosity of people in the real estate industry to make the world a better place at the level at which we can make an impact."

"I feel blessed, as I know many of my clients and friends in the real estate industry, also do for the abundance in our lives. There's a positive impact that we each have -- an ability to make by just giving back and taking a stand -- to impact the lives of those we directly work with as well as impact those far away."

Tickets are available at $20 each. Click here. All ticket purchasers will receive valuable premiums ranging from $179.95 for single ticket purchasers to $368.90 for purchasers of six tickets.

Published: October 23, 2006

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. For more articles by Blanche, click here.