Her Quiet Generosity Changes Lives - Debbie Tufts

Debbie Tufts is a realtor in Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners (Sugarloaf in Duluth, GA) and with Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners (Jacksonville, FL). Debbie is a quiet hero who has always had a heart for those who are struggling financially.

Debbie supports several charities every year, some including a Volley for a Cure breast cancer event, and Kares 4 Kids, as well as sponsoring several children in underdeveloped countries. She literally donates a small fortune each year.

She donates her time by volunteering to help a secret battered women’s shelter in Duluth, in several areas of ministry at church, at a soup kitchen in Gainesville, on a breast cancer fundraiser, at the children’s schools, on spiritual retreats, etc. If it helps someone, she is all for it.

She has anonymously paid for several people to attend missions or spiritual growth activities. When a friend could not afford to go to Israel on a walking bible study trip, she helped pay for her to go. She has supported several youth ministry interns financially. She prays for others constantly.

In Keller Williams, she has mentored many young realtors, both in business and in life. She has given away listing presentations, brochures, procedures, checklists, and virtually anything else that will help a young person get their business on track. She loans out their marketing assistant, Joyce Scott, to help other agents with their business database and their marketing plans. She has volunteered to teach, mastermind and be on panels anytime she could help.

There are many times that she gave away leads and clients. Her husband, Steve, being a high 'D' personality, would ask her about it and “She would just smile at me and say “Well they are struggling and needed a little help. Right now, they need it more than we do.” “How do you argue with that?!” Steve commented.

She writes hundreds of cards of encouragement to people every year. She recently wrote close to 20 letters to people on a spiritual retreat in Atlanta. Many of them she did not even know very well.

Although Debbie has received many business awards, the one that she is most proud of came from a client who nominated her for a Leadership Character Award from the Turknett Leadership Group (Kennesaw, GA). On her office bookshelf, the only pieces displayed are the Character Award and a framed WI4C2TS autographed by Mo Anderson.

They say it is not about the money, but it is about what the money can do to change lives. Some people talk only about what wealth can do for them; as a quiet hero, Debbie takes her financial opportunities and her time, to give to others in need. Debbie’s quiet generosity changes lives.

Always Smiling, Always Thoughtful – Jennifer Mest

Jennifer Mest joined Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners (Buford, GA) in 2006.

“She is an incredible presence in the office,” commented her Team Leader Jason Bonds. Jennifer is a genuine person and the office cheerleader. She demonstrates what a positive attitude is all about, with a good mood and a great smile everyday!

When a mega agent recently joined the office, Jennifer went out of her way to help with his transition. “She is so bubbly and always friendly,” Tom Hlass complimented her.

When some agents moved their businesses back into the KW office, Jennifer organized their “welcome back” with decorations on their door, a card signed by everyone and a plant for their new office.

She helps remember agents’ birthdays and makes them feel special. “She will help out on the spur of the moment with a Business Meeting, and she worked very hard last fall to organize a Fall Festival for the office,” shared Scarlett Stringer. She was a devoted Kares 4 Kids Ambassador in 2008. She loves to help with team building events, and even put together a weight watchers program for everyone that was a big success.

Recently, when Jennifer heard that an agent needed help, she gave that person work. When another agent could not afford their bill at the time, Jennifer paid it.

When she is not in the office, her presence is truly missed. As a quiet hero, Jennifer brightens up her KW office with her thoughtful acts and beautiful smile!

A Shining Example Of KW Culture – Sandy Owens

Sandy Owens is a realtor in Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners (Sugarloaf in Duluth). She is a loyal, active servant leader who exemplifies our values: WI4C2TS.

She has served on their Agent Leadership Council for five years. She teaches classes in the office on a regular basis, sharing her real estate knowledge and expertise. She organizes Vendor Fairs, Agent caravans, and brings in lunch after Team Meetings.

Sandy has been an Ambassador for Kares 4 Kids, and single handedly secured over 50 donations for its annual Ball and Silent Auction. Her efforts have helped Kares 4 Kids serve over 4900 children.

She recently organized a showing of "The Bucket List" movie, and arranged to have a nearby luxury car automobile dealership bring fabulous cars for our agents. She took pictures of them beside their dream cars, so they could imagine their dreams into their reality.

This spring she organized a “Sale-A-Bration,” that was a huge success. Depending on how many items as you brought in, you could take the same number away for free. Clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc. were swapped, but more importantly, it gave everyone an opportunity to shop, freshen up their wardrobe, have fun…all for free!

In addition to all that she does for her Market Center, Sandy serves many others in her community as well. She is the Team Soccer Mom for her girls’ soccer team. She helps with an outreach program to provide clothes to struggling families. She volunteers on weekends at a vet office and cares for a horse with cancer. She is on the Women’s Council of Realtors and is the President of the Mill Creek Equestrian Team.

Sandy adopted a Hurricane Katrina family that she still supports to this day. She calls Bingo at a nursing home. Recently, she started commuting back and forth to Big Canoe (an hour away) helping her father adjust to life on his own.

There seems to be no end to the lengths she will go to serve others. There are truly no words to express the abundance of kindness and good will that has been passed on to Sugarloaf by Sandy. She is one of the major reasons that Sugarloaf is a happy, energetic, and electric center of KW culture.

She Gives So Much Of Herself For Others – Including Two Teresas! - Debbie Ferrero

Debbie Ferrero is a realtor with Keller Williams Realty Traditions (Stockbridge, GA).

The wonderful thing about Debbie's quiet hero story, I found out completely by accident: Debbie impacts the lives of many people, including two Teresas! I heard about Debbie from her Team Leader, Deb Nardy. Deb recommended that I call Debbie’s husband Bruce to learn about all that she does and about a lady who Debbie helps, Teressa. As Bruce was trying to help us surprise Debbie as a quiet hero, he accidentally gave me the “wrong” Teresa’s number to call.

I called Teresa, and she had much to share with me: Teresa W. met Debbie when Debbie was helping her buy her first home. Debbie quickly became more than her agent; she became part of her family. When Teresa had troubles with her daughter, Debbie came bearing gifts. When Teresa’s Mother passed away, Debbie was there with flowers. Debbie held Teresa's hand during her divorce. Teresa has purchased four homes now through Debbie.

"She has actually included me on her prayer lists! She gives so much of herself, without ever being asked; whatever I needed, she would help me."

"Debbie is such a quiet hero, she does not make her presence known." Teresa said, "but you always know she is there.” As we were finishing up, I realized that this was a “different Teresa” than the one I was supposed to talk with…yet she still had a wonderful story to share about Debbie!

When I spoke with the “right Teressa,” I found out: every month Debbie helps this special lady, also. While having a strong mental capacity and attitude, Teressa R. deals with the physical challenges of being a quadriplegic.

Debbie and Teressa med at a Bible study and quickly befriended each other. Debbie visits with Teressa and offers moral support. When Teressa is having a difficult time, Debbie stays with her, listens and converses with her. She drives Teressa into downtown Atlanta regularly for her doctor appointments. She will pick up her prescriptions for her, or run any errands that Teressa needs help with.

For Teressa, Debbie’s generosity shows as she not only helps her with the errands that must be done, but also takes her to lunch and even out shopping for fun. Teressa said it is the biggest privilege to go shopping like that!

She is a very good friend to me; she never complains even when she is folding and putting my 44 lb. wheelchair into her car. She is there for me anytime, anywhere. She calls and checks on me all the time, and even comes to visit me when I am in the hospital.”

When Debbie and her husband, Bruce, first met Teressa, she was having troubles getting in and out of her home on her wheelchair. The ramp was too steep for Teressa to manage. So they showed up one day and re-built it for her, to ease her entry and exit from her home. You know, so many of us are so lucky to not have to even think about the challenge that must have posed for Teressa – just getting in and out of her own home.
“Oh, how I love her! I do not know what I would do without her” Teressa R. said. Debbie is a true quiet hero, who shares her time to lift up others, including two Teresas who both love her dearly in return.