From Keller Williams Realty OutFront Magazine, January/February 2009 • Vol. 6 No. 1

MoMentum Corner 


A Home for Healing

My Dear Family,

Katy, Texas, has spirit – Keller Williams culture spirit! One can feel it in the air and it is a direct result of the phenomenally inspiring endeavors of Cinco Charities!

Ignited by the 2006 Family Reunion challenge for market centers to leave a legacy within their individual communities and led by the passion of Gayle Huffman and Kathy Girgenti, the Katy team immediately sprang to action! Combining several team members’ personal experience with the associates’ knowledge of their community’s future hospital development plans, a very distinct need was born. Katy had been identified as the site for several major hospital branches including MD Anderson, Texas Children’s, Methodist Hospital, Memorial Hermann, St. Luke’s and Christus St. Catherine, resulting in scores of out-of-town patients, family members and caregivers traveling to Katy instead of Houston for their often long-term treatments. How best to reach out and help during such a difficult time? Combine our culture with Katy associates’ housing expertise and the result – a "home away from home" – was a perfect fit!

Building a solid foundation for such an endeavor proved to be an ongoing testimonial to total, untiring teamwork in action. Monthly board meetings found members tackling the adoption of by-laws, copyright laws and non-profit status, as well as the development of printed materials, major fund-raising initiatives and community partnerships. It could have been a daunting task, but as Chris Hiller, chairman of the board, shares, the passion had been embraced, the commitment was unconditional and it was "full speed ahead!"

Because such facilities are scarce, with the Ronald McDonald House being an exception, developing a model for their dream has been challenging. However, through perseverance, the National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses (NAHHH) Website surfaced and became a beacon of light for Cinco Charities. At last they had discovered the camaraderie of others who were successfully sharing this vision!

Cinco Charities’ long-term goal is a freestanding, multifamily housing facility. Until that realization, the Marriott TownePlace Suites has joined in their efforts by offering them discounted patient rates. Currently Cinco Charities is aiding their fifth individual who traveled from Connecticut for treatment. Due to lack of insurance coverage, the free housing provided by our Katy team made the possible life-saving trip a reality!

In true culture-keeping, applicants’ finances are not considered and help is based strictly on medical needs. Recently, as more and more volunteers have stepped forward to help, "Friends of Cinco Charities" is being formed to support their many fund-raising endeavors. We invite you to learn more about this exciting Keller Williams family organization by visiting their Website: (cincocharities.org). In February they will host an event to inform their community about their vision and progress.

"Katy is a large city with a small town spirit, and we’re anticipating a positive, supportive response!" offers Chris.

My heart has been deeply touched by the incredible culture of our Katy team, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for sharing their love and compassion with those in great need.

Yours in caring and sharing,

Mo Anderson

Vice Chairman, Keller Williams Realty

Mo Mentum Corner

Learn more about this exciting Keller Williams family organization by visiting their Website:

cincocharities.org.