The World of Commercial Real Estate According to @BCCommercial: April 2010

"I am sure that my codes of life may be very different than yours, but how do you know that trust, compassion and beauty will not make this world a better place to be in and this life a better one to live? My codes may seem like a fantasy that can never be reached, but test them for yourself, and see the kind of effect that they have in the lives of people around you. YOU may just start a chain reaction." - Rachel Scott, First Victim of the Columbine High School Massacre.

This weekend I became part of something VERY POWERFUL, something much bigger than me. Fifty Adult Volunteers including myself and ninety student volunteers comprise 17 crews (along with countless people behind the scenes) helped 17 local families and individuals in need in the Chester County region. Two days - 48 hours to make REAL, TANGIBLE differences in our community for REAL people with REAL needs.

Going outside of YOURself, YOUR busy schedule, YOUR time, YOUR energy and giving 130% for someone you don't even know? Sounds crazy? Undignified? Probably, but it's one of the most awesome experiences you'll ever have. Here are just some of the things we got into this weekend:

• Flooring
• Painting
• Roof Repair/Sealing
• Tile Work
• Trim Work
• Weatherizing Doors and Windows
• Water Damage Repair/Bolstering Ceilings
• Landing/Steps Construction
• Handicap Accessible Ramp Construction
• Plumbing
• Electrical

This list could go on. The coolest part about this weekend was not the list. No...it was made of of much more important things in the scheme of eternity. Real teenagers, Grades 6-12 from Chester, Lancaster and Delaware, and New Castle Counties learned:

• Construction/Home repair skills (we don't do the work for them. They learn how to do the repairs hands-on.)
• Philanthropy - Giving of yourself for another persons benefit
• Compassion - Empathy for the needs of others
• Action - Follow-up to empathy which is ALL-TOO-OFTEN missing these days
• "Phileo" love - brotherly love towards my neighbors in my community
• "Agape" love - A GOD produced love that allows me to want what's best for you, and I'm willing to sacrifice me, myself and I for this to happen
• The Spirit of Giving - Throwing money at various charities is fairly easy for most. When you have to take personal ownership and buy in with your own energy, hard work and emotions it's more of a true sacrifice

We watch the news and see all the hatred, fear, violence, drugs, criminal activity, and we wonder "what is this world coming to?" Well, I choose to stop WONDERING and get to DOING. I choose to make the CHANGE starting with ME. Not just for one weekend for a great "warm and fuzzy feeling", but on an everyday basis. I need to stop getting drawn into the 8-5 corporate concept with no emotions, no engaging in people's lives, no chance of being transparent and real. I CHOOSE to perform RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESStowards my co-workers, people I encounter in the grocery store, people I share US Route 1 with, my neighbors in my culdesac, the youth in my community (that everyone is so quick to judge and complain about but do nothing to engage in their lives, try to actually understand where they're coming from and help them to become the best they can be).

Even if you aren't able to participate in Project R.A.K.E.or something similar, consider making it YOUR CODE to make a difference in someones life each and every day. The smallest kind acts can mean so much. You never know what another person in going through. You could bring hope and joy to that person and not even realize it. I challenge you to go outside of your comfort zone and make it a point to reach out to someone new each and every day.

Can't wait to see how different this world could really be...

Contact me today to find out more at bethanne@projectrake.com

or contact the Project RAKE office at 610-869-7332.

In Chester County, this welcomed spring weather is warming our spirits and quickly fading those winter snowstorm blues. The look of the Beiler-Campbell Business Center is transforming with new greenery and beautiful flowers being planted to celebrate the new season. A familiar warm-weather friend is back in business. The Avon Grove Lions Book Barn has returned for our reading pleasure.

Full of all genres to please all literary palettes, the Book Barn boasts one of the largest collections in Chester County. Opened in 2010, it gained popularity in our local community very quickly with its large selection and extremely reasonable prices. The fact that the proceeds go to such a worthy cause is a great bonus.

This year, as reported in the Daily Local News for Chester County, PA, the first two weeks proceeds are to the benefit of Avon Grove Library to assist in their children's reading programs...all the more reason to stop by soon and check it out. Their hours are from 4-8 PM on Fridays and 9AM - 12 Noon on Saturdays on Woodview Road, London Grove, Chester County, PA.

You can help as well. If you have any books that you would like to share with others, you can drop them off at the designated bins at our local National Penn Bank branches. What a great way to give back to the children in our community and share our love of reading!

According to The Kennett Paper, Federal and State Grant money is being handed out and our own local New Garden Airport (Chester County) is one of the lucky recipients. Pennsylvania's Governor, Ed Rendell made the announcement at the end of March. Composed of various taxes and fees, the Federal Aviation Administration awards these grants to eligible projects.

The assistance will total $13.8 million and will provide needed funds to get an easement for their existing runway, while providing a new extension for their current taxiway. This will be a huge safety upgrade for an airport that serves our community. Although New Garden received the larger chunk of change, both the Chester County Airport and Brandywine Airport will also benefit on a smaller scale.

My hope is that this funding will boost both the airport and our local economy in the same rite. Construction and excavation means people working and money being made. Growth is essential for the Kennett Square and Avondale Regions to be viable contenders in business and industry throughout Pennsylvania and beyond our borders.

From what I have learned in my nine years of living here, the Kennett/Avondale region has undergone multiple waves of transformation, and I see a new one cresting with projects like these as well as the retail industry expansion that we have seen in the last year. How soon it arrives in this area will depend on economic conditions, the Real Estate Industry and the stimuli for change exhibited by our business community.