About an hour ago I called Tina Merritt, a fellow member of Active Rain. I needed help. Tina came to mind 
because I know she knows her area. Reading her posts taught me that.
I contacted Tina because I had a call from my brother-in-law in Connecticut. Bill is trying to find someone that was flying to Haiti and had a medical emergency in flight. The plane landed in Norfolk, VA and the passanger was taken to a hospital.
Bill is a pastor of a church in Wallingford, CT and has done extensive work in Haiti. The passenger taken sick is someone that was going down to Haiti as a volunteer.
Bill thought I might be able to help him locate the hospital where the passenger was taken. When you Google hospitals in Norfolk you will find several. I knew immediately that Tina would be able to give me the name of the closests ones. Sure enough that is exactly what happened.
It felt good to know that I had a resource that knew Norfolk. Once I realized that, I also realized that I have resources across the country including the special ones in Alaska and Hawaii. That is what Active Rain has given me and each of you.
REALTORS® know their area like few others. Think about it. They become our combination Yellow Pages and Google maps.
REALTORS® are the local experts...and you can call them when all the government and Chamber of Commerce offices are closed up tight for the night or week-end.
I also knew I could call Tina because I know that REALTORS® are helpers. That is what we do. We provide information and services. We problem-solve. There was no doubt in my mind that Tina would do what she could for me.
I was right.
©Copyright Kate Elim 2011
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I am glad that you were able to get the info you and your dad needed. Another excellent reason to belong to Active Rain! I hope this story turns out well. -S
"I also knew I could call Tina because I know that REALTORS® are helpers. That is what we do. We provide information and services. We problem-solve"
Wow! Does that ever say volumes about our industry!! Great story Kate!
Hi Stephanie...Yes, I meant this as a thank you to Active Rain and to Tina.
Kate
Great Story! And I love your profile Pic....glad you got to the site!
Hi Colleen...Thanks for adding me as an Associate.
I wrote this post because I really believe what I said about why so many of us are REALTORS®.
Even though what I asked of Tina was not a big thing, the very fact that I knew she would help me was what was important and I had never spoken to her before in my life. She would do that for me and anyone else that needed that information.
Most REALTORS® are great people.
Kate
Hi Jane..Thanks.
I'm not as handsome as Max but I'm pleased with it. I think I could have made my face bigger but I might have lost the word "HOPE". I didn't want to do that.
Kate
Kate,
I have called several AR members to pick their brains for idea, advice and just to chat. It's amazing the connections we can make in the Rain.
Kate,
I am glad you thought to call me and happy that I helped. I hope everything turns out ok. Thank you for your kind post - you are a gem here in the Rain!
Tina in Virginia
Kate, I have found ActiveRainers to be open, friendly, helpful people as well as the "best" when it comes to real estate.
Kate, It's true, we are all so connected. Someone will mention a place and I can (off the cuff) usually think of a realtor that lives in an area---so amazing and I'm glad you had help.
Hi Carol...I have too. It has always been about Activer Rain, blogs, or something to do with real estate.
This was a little bit different and yet Tina came to mind immediately. I was so glad I thought of her.
Kate
Hi Tina...I was so glad I thought of you too. I know I will think of you if anyone asks me if I know I great REALTOR in the Hampton Roads/Virginia Beach area.
How nice it is to know that I can say yes to that and to many, many other parts of this country.
Kate
Hi Margaret...A absolutely agree with you. We are very fortunate to have found such a group of people.
Kate
Hi Carole...Yes, I feel the same way. It is so good to know that we have this network out there. I only wish I had lots and lots of referrals to send to all of you.
Kate