Janet Griffin is a 15-year veteran as a REALTOR® and works at REMAX Tri-State in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. I recently had a very nice Zoom visit with her and she shared a very heartwarming story. Janet and her husband, who is also a REALTOR®, were working in an office in 2011 when a buyer, who we will call Miss Mary, was closing a deal for a $30,000, 900 square foot home with another agent. Miss Mary, according to Janet, took a liking to her husband Bill; Miss Mary is 81-year-old. They became friends and helped her with many of her needs over the years and were there for her when her husband passed in 2015, but a strange turn of events started happening in the past few years. Anytime Janet attempted to bring her food or anything Miss Mary would meet her on the porch, never letting her in the home. Janet wondered, but didn’t pursue as it seemed Miss Mary had become a very private person.

In December Miss Mary contacted Janet to let her know she was in rehab, so Janet planned on visiting her and seeing what her needs might be, Miss Mary has no immediate family in the area, so Janet and Bill have been her go-to family. Miss Mary, being in a wheelchair, asked Janet if she could give her a ride home in late January. Janet agreed and decided to stop at Miss Mary’s home before picking her up. This is when Janet learned just how bad things were! When she visited Miss Mary’s home before picking her up, a neighbor rushed out and said, “you are not going in there are you?” There was a hole in the front door and every local wild animal had taken up residence in the home.

This is where the story begins. Janet asked her handyman and brother-in-law if they would help replace the front door. While replacing the door they took pictures of the inside. The water heater had fallen through the floor, piles of trash and feces covered the inside of the house. There was no running water and the house was unlivable. Next the REALTOR® community, friends, past clients and so many others stepped up. They found temporary housing for Miss Mary and Janet promised her she could come home in three weeks. It took five weeks, but with the help of a Salvation Army contractor and agents that were flipping houses who offered countertops and other supplies, the house started coming together. Some REALTORS® put on rubber gloves, others donated money. Community members took up the cause to make Miss Mary’s house a home! On April 11th Miss Mary returned to a beautiful home.

Recently on Janet’s Facebook page she tried to list all those who helped, donated or somehow assisted. I counted at least 75 people, real estate offices and local businesses. It was a community effort, but was led by Janet Griffin who is a REALTOR®/HERO!

REALTOR® Making Masks to Help in Her Part of the World

Many REALTORS® are reaching back to their past for skills they haven’t used for years to find ways to help out during the Covid-19 pandemic. I recently spoke with Helen Miernicki, a 33-year veteran REALTOR® and broker with Realty World - We Get Results in Ashland, PA. Covid-19 is hitting Pennsylvania hard, especially in her area when you consider the number of cases versus the population. She shared that just 20 miles north of Frackville, her hometown, the ratio is 25 to 1 with folks affected. I asked why she thought such a cluster was in her area and she shared that the housing is very affordable, only 90 minutes to two hours from Northern New Jersey and New York City and that many are seeking affordable housing.

Helen has sewn and distributed more than 150 masks in the past few weeks mostly to those in need. She is mailing them, delivering them and even offering to ship me one. Many of her masks have been shared with first responders, including local police officers. When asked how this started, she said REALTORS® are competitive - REALLY? Turns out her friend, also a broker, started making them and they have always been in a friendly competition, so Helen asked for the pattern and she started making them also. Turns out both ladies had fabric and thread from the 70’s stored away in junk drawers. Helen went to her basement and dug out, in her words, an “old dog sewing machine” that hadn’t been used in twenty years and has already worn out a needle. She enjoys matching the fabric to the individual she is making the mask for; hunters, animal lovers and colors. She feels if the person loves the mask then they will wear it more!

Helen is also a member of Frackville Town Council, actually the only female member of the council. Helen Miernicki, you are a REALTOR®/HERO!