We are rapidly approaching this year’s RED Day – Keller Williams’ annual day of service, held every second Thursday in May in celebration of board member Mo Anderson’s birthday. As KW leaders and associates gear up to Renew, Energize, and Donate, we’ve put together a list to ensure that everyone is ready to have the best RED Day ever. Take a moment to go through the checklist, then get amped by reading a RED Day success story that showcases the power of community, culture, and KW’s shared commitment to philanthropy.
First Item to Checkmark: Help Ukraine Relief Efforts
In conjunction with RED Day, Keller Williams is partnering with ShelterBox, a global disaster relief charity providing emergency shelter and supplies to families affected by natural disasters or conflict, with the goal of raising money to aid Ukraine crisis relief efforts. The campaign will run from May 2 to May 16.
Contribute NowTo date, more than 12.5 million people have been displaced by the war in Ukraine. ShelterBox teams are working on the ground within Lviv, Ukraine, and neighboring Moldova, overseeing the distribution of life-saving aid for those internally displaced, as well as refugees fleeing to neighboring countries. To date, the team has dispensed thousands of mattresses, as well as Emergency ShelterKit distributions, which include essential household supplies such as solar lights, thermal blankets, and water carriers. But, the need for more items remains.
Related reading: On the Frontlines: KW Worldwide Agents Come Together for Ukraine
A Checklist for Your Best RED Day Ever
✅ Make sure you are up-to-date on communication from your market center leadership.
✅ Download the official RED Day graphics and generate buzz on social media using the #KWREDDay hashtag.
✅ Put out a call for additional helpers from your sphere.
✅ Brainstorm the ways in which those not able to physically attend can still participate.
✅ Think through whom you’d like to connect with post-event and get the communication going.
✅ Have your RED Day swag ironed and ready to go.
✅ Use your participation as an additional touch to your database.
Here’s Everything You NeedA RED Day Story to Get You Excited About This Year
Eight years ago, the ALC members of the Keller Williams Central Oklahoma market center crafted a RED Day project that would become a staple of the city of Edmond. In honor of Mo, the council put together a 5K run, raising $35K for the American Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Association. After growing exponentially, last year’s event saw 1,564 registered participants – split between in-person and virtual in the era of COVID – who raised about $220K for eight nonprofits. Through its efforts, the team was able to provide funds for a local pantry, as well as organizations providing diapers for kids, bedding for foster parents, and aid to the disabled community, among other causes. Once this year’s race concludes, KW Central Oklahoma’s Brad Reeser says, the market center will have poured more than $1M into their community. In addition to race time, the event also boasts a kickoff breakfast with the charities, and another breakfast where checks are awarded.
This year, the race will take flight from the Central Oklahoma office in Downtown Edmond … just a tad later than May 12. With Mo’s permission, the market center shuffled their RED Day efforts to October 1, which provides fewer schedule conflicts for the city’s residents. As the event approaches, the team is in full preparation mode. Reeser shares, the race takes about nine months to plan in its entirety. And the first step is connecting with their sponsors: everyone from title companies to lenders. Then, they think through every consideration, from making sure they are on the same page as city officials, securing a police presence, tents, and even the route of the race. “Everybody makes it look very seamless, but it is a tremendous amount of work, and a huge group effort. We’re lucky to be in the Keller Williams organization, where it means something for people to do other things than just sell real estate.”
Have a great RED Day story to share?
Let us know in the comments section below, or email us at outfront(at)kw.com.