Local REALTORS Lend a Hand
Send Food & Supplies to National Guard Unit
182nd Field Artillery Army National Guard Unit Getting Care Packages
April 13, 2005
By: O. J. Cunningham
Sgt. First Class Paul Burleigh spoke to REALTORS at the General Membership Meeting.
Sgt. Burleigh helps load supplies that will be shipped off to Iraq to the 182nd Field Artillery National Guard Unit.
Nate Hillaker called to say he wanted some Pop Tarts.
Hillaker, a real estate agent for Century 21 Horizon Realty, needs a lot more than Pop Tarts according to his family and Bay County REALTOR Association CEO, Bob Adamowski.
Hillaker is a member of the 182nd Field Artillery Army National Guard Unit called into active duty (December 2004) and sent to Iraq. The unit's mission is to train the new Iraqi police force.
Hillaker contacted his family and some of the other real estate agents in the Bay County REALTOR Association (BCRA) . . . telling them that his unit was having difficulty obtaining essential items for everyday living.
So Hillaker's friends and co-workers in the Bay County real estate community, spearheaded by Adamowski and the Board officers, stepped up to help provide the necessary food, supplies and shipping money needed to get care packages off to Iraq.
During April, the Association Office at Fifth and Saginaw Street acted as a drop-offpoint for items such as toiletries, snacks, magazines and sporting goods.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for the Bay County Board of REALTORS and all of its working members to show support for our troops," said Board President, Wade Eckenrod (Pictured at right). "We should all pray every day for Nate's safe return as well as all other local men who might be stationed in Iraq."
The effort continued during the April General Membership Meeting. At the meeting, BCRA Board members "passed the hat" and took donations of food and money to send care packages to Hillaker's unit in Iraq.
The BCRA members generously raised the amount of $1,025. BCRA CEO Bob Adamowski said that the Board of Directors will match the first $500 dollars raised . . . bringing the grand total to $1,525.
Hillaker's family attended the luncheon and were pleased with the outpouring of support for their son and for his unit stationed in Iraq.
Nate Hillaker's Family (Pictured above) was on hand for the luncheon.
