SEBRING, Fla. and IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 21, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- As a company, National Recreational Properties, Inc. (NRPI), a leading real estate company specializing in recreational land properties, believes in giving back to the community. In the past, the company and its employees have been able to donate time and money to causes in the Southern California area, where the corporate headquarters is located.
In the wake of Hurricane Charley, however, NRPI got to contribute to a need that was developing on the other side of the country. Shortly after Hurricane Charley swept through Florida's Highland County, the company received a call from Michael Grosh, Director of Land Management and Development of the Sun 'n Lakes of Sebring Improvement District, to help locate some generators that the District needed to purchase in order to help its citizens recover from the aftermath of the storm. NRPI jumped at the chance to help out and the company mobilized a mini-rescue campaign immediately.
Unable to procure supplies anywhere in the State of Florida, NRPI's management team instructed the manager of its office in Arkansas -- Beth Graves -- to scour the area for generators, chain saws, and other supplies to help the District recover from the after-effects of Charley and the impending force of Frances. Airports in Florida were already being closed in preparation of Hurricane Frances, but NRPI wanted to make sure that the District and the people of Sun 'n Lakes would receive the necessary supplies.
Two of NRPI's employees, Jeremy Richard and John Goss came to the rescue by volunteering to drive the company's 15-passenger van from Hot Springs Village, Arkansas to Sebring, Florida -- a distance of over 1200 miles. The seats in the van were removed, the generators, chain saws, gasoline (fuel for the chain saws), ropes, and other supplies were packed into the van and the semi cross-country trek began. While many were fleeing Florida to avoid the onslaught of Hurricane Frances, Jeremy and John battled wind, rain, and slick roads to get to their destination. The journey started on Saturday afternoon and they finally arrived in Sebring on Labor Day!
"We believe in supporting the communities in which we have a presence. The people of Sun 'n Lakes are our neighbors and friends, so we did not even think twice when the call for help came in," said Jeff Frieden, President of NRPI. "Many of our employees in Florida were affected by the Hurricane, so naturally, we want to extend our help wherever it is needed."
Jeremy Richard and John Goss received a very warm welcome when they arrived in Sebring, where the necessary supplies were greatly appreciated. After a brief rest and a hearty meal, they made the trek back to Arkansas and are happy that they were able to provide such needed relief.