At least one thousand Realtors(R) will be helping Habitat for Humanity build seven homes in the Musicians Village, sponsored by Lowes', and helping to complete the final work on four residential renovations for Rebuilding Together with Countrywide. At the New Orleans City Park, Realtor(R) volunteers will be clearing weeds and debris from lake shorelines, pruning and planting in the Botanical Gardens and stringing Holiday Lights in the Celebration of the Oaks for the children. By the fall, NAR expects to add additional volunteer opportunities.

"By volunteering their time and skills, Realtors(R) coming to New Orleans will leave the city a better place than they found it. It was not a big decision for most as that is what Realtors(R) do best -- build communities everyday. That's what we're all about," said NAR President Thomas M. Stevens from Vienna, Va.

In addition to volunteering, Realtors(R) are helping New Orleans rebuild in other ways. NAR and state and territorial associations of Realtors(R) are sponsoring the construction of a total of 54 Habitat homes in the Gulf Coast area, including the seven in the Musician's Village, as part of the Realtor(R)-Habitat Partnership for Gulf Coast Recovery program.

Following Hurricane Katrina last year, the nation's Realtors(R) were one of the first to decide to keep their commitment to convene in New Orleans. NAR will be the largest convention to be held in New Orleans this year, bringing as much as $40 million in convention revenues and 30,000 visitors, and demonstrating Realtors(R)' commitment to rebuild the city. Pre-registration is breaking all previous NAR convention records. More than 10,000 have already signed up, 20 percent more than last year's convention in San Francisco at this point in time.

Stevens said Realtors(R) planning to volunteer must commit to at least a day of their time in advance, from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Volunteer Days will be held Tuesday, November 7 through Tuesday, November 14 (except Sunday, November 12). Convention-goers can sign up to volunteer at: www.realtor.org/educsess.nsf/pageslu/rebuildneworleans?opendocument.

The NAR convention is called "NARdi Gras, a Celebration of REALTORS(R) coming together to "REnew, REconnect, and REenergize their careers and the city of New Orleans." The meeting will feature more than 200 conference sessions, more than 600 exhibitors, and thousands of real estate professionals from the United States and 60 nations. For more information and online registration, go to http://www.realtor.org/convention.nsf/.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 July 2006 )