Eleven of Metro Brokers offices recently participated in a friendly competition to raise money for Operation Stars and Stripes (OSS), a Marietta-based non-profit organization that sends personalized letters and care packages year-round to overseas soldiers in support of their efforts.

Earlier this summer, the president of OSS informed Michelle Foster of the East Cobb office (and OSS volunteer) that she frequently received letters from soldiers in dire need of everyday toiletries. In fact, some soldiers wrote that they had to use their personal toothbrush for cleaning purposes, and therefore had not been able to brush their teeth.

“I know Metro Brokers agents have big hearts, so I decided to try and get a friendly competition started between our offices to raise money for the care packages OSS sends,” explained Foster.

Foster approached office caravan leaders about joining the competition, with the promise of a Krispy Kreme doughnut break for offices raising $500 or more. The office that raised the top amount would receive a free catered lunch for their generosity. Several offices participated and were able to raise a grand total of $5,000. Four of the competing offices received doughnut breaks, and the McDonough office won the competition by raising more than $1,200.

The packages OSS sends to soldiers include items such as toothbrushes, hand sanitizer, Sudoku books, socks, candy, snacks, DVDs, foot powder, inflatable pillows, chap stick, cameras, insect repellent, eye drops, magazines, cards, Frisbees, sun block, deodorant, shave gel and razors, chewing gum and more. There are specialized packages of toiletries, snacks, and entertainment items that you can purchase off of the OSS website as well.

Since participating this July, many Metro Brokers agents are now planning to help with “Operation Christmas Stocking,” the OSS Christmas fundraiser. Tony Sargent, a sales associate and contributor from the McDonough office, has already committed to donate 100 stockings to help the organization reach their goal.

“I’m very passionate about helping the men and women who have chosen to serve and protect our country. Helping OSS allowed our office the opportunity to do our part and say thank you. Furthermore, we are all looking forward to helping out with the Christmas fundraiser as well,” added Sargent.

To learn more about OSS, visit www.operationstarsandstripes.com. The website allows you to donate items or money and become a pen pal to a soldier. Packages and letters can be sent to soldiers at random, or a specific soldier of your choosing.

Several Metro Brokers sales associates are currently on active duty in the military or have recently returned from overseas. If you would like to contact them for encouragement or well wishes, please use their Metro Brokers email account.

- Scotty Bates of the McDonough office is currently stationed in Afghanistan as a pilot in the US Air Force. He will return from a three month tour in early November.

- Rosa Ramirez of the Stonecrest office is a Captain in the US Army, and is leaving soon for advanced military training that will last until March of 2008. She has done several tours of duty in the past including one tour that lasted 12 months.

- Ralph Ivey of the Conyers office recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan. He is in the Naval Reserves.

- Gail Rainwater of the Clayton office is an Aircraft Maintenance Technician in the US Air Force Reserves and has been a part of the military for 11 years.

- Ron Mahomes of the Stonecrest office is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves. He is currently stationed at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, but was called to active duty at the Pentagon in 2003. He has served in the Army Reserves for more than 30 years.

Metro Brokers/GMAC Real Estate, established in 1979, was recently named the largest real estate service provider in Georgia for the fourth consecutive year by Real Trends. Metro Brokers has 23 metro Atlanta and north Georgia offices and offers a wide range of real estate services including residential and commercial sales; pre- and post-license training; corporate relocation; new home sales and marketing; and insurance, mortgage and title/closing services.

The company is the largest GMAC Real Estate franchise in the world and has more than tripled in size over the last five years with more than 3,400 licensees, making the company the largest license holder in the state of Georgia. Metro Brokers is also the number one selling broker in metro Atlanta and north Georgia.

To contact Metro Brokers, call 404.843.2500 or visit metrobrokers.com.