Star Power

by Heather

Last week I attended The Northwestern Mutual Breakfast Club of America with Patty. Breakfast Club America is a national membership driven business development organization that serves the middle market business community. The meeting was jammed packed with business folks from around Raleigh who were eager to meet, greet and network so early in the morning (ouch 7:30!). Billy Packer was the speaker and he was very entertaining! Not being a sports aficionado, I made sure to do my research on Mr. Packer so I did not appear to be a dumb wad. With my last job I met Michelle Wie, Kurt Herbstreit, George Carl , had lunch with Mike Vrabel only to find out later that they were “somebody”. (“Gosh that guy has a really big neck. He should be a football player!) Next week I will have the opportunity to have lunch with some of the Carolina Hurricanes. I will have to Google them to make sure I can recognize those celebrities without their pads. My family thinks it’s hilarious that I meet all these sports stars when I am SO sports oblivious! You never know when you’re going to meet someone famous when you’re just out doing everyday things.

Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston
has committed to building three Habitat for Humanity homes for 2006 …one in Wake, Durham and Orange Counties. We have only the Orange left to complete! On Saturday 11/4/06, I attended the dedication ceremony for the Habitat house we helped to build in Durham. The Durham house was built for Joyce Freeman. Joyce has raised 4 of her own kids and has recently adopted one child. She became a foster parent in 1990 and has, to date, sponsored over 30 foster kids ages from birth to 18. Joyce was required to put in 150 sweat equity hours for her home, and despite the long, hot summer, work schedule and caring for her kids, Joyce completed her hours a month in advance. Joyce has a magnetic personality; an aura that glowed so bright and I found myself happier just being nears her. On Saturday, Joyce made a statement that I will not soon forget. She said. “I want to thank everyone who swung a hammer and turned a screw. And thanks to all who put the love of labor in their hearts this summer to help build my blessing.”

Joyce can not walk through the grocery store without sending folks into frenzy with her star power. She may never command a crowd of fans at a sports rally. She may never autograph a magazine or be on the cover of Sports Illustrated but she has certainly made a huge impression on my heart and is the biggest celebrity I have met in a long, long time.

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