Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors Agent Helps Kids in Crisis

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Fuller donates her beloved stuffed animals
RISMEDIA, July 28 ? As a past president of both the Fort Bend, Texas, Association of Realtors and the Fort Bend Chapter of Women’s Council of Realtors, and with over 22 years of real estate sales experience, no one can argue that Prudential Gary Greene real estate professional Marie Fuller is not committed. In addition to her work, she’s active in a number of service organizations including the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society. Fuller believes in community service.

In a recent random act of kindness, Fuller went out of her way to give a small child a stuffed bunny in replacement of one the child had loved to pieces. Fuller derived such satisfaction from the child’s obvious delight at receiving the gift that she decided she had to do more. She approached the Sugar Land police and fire departments with the idea of stocking their emergency vehicles and patrol cars with an on-going supply of refurbished furry friends to be given to children in crisis.

Michael McLemore, captain-public education for the Sugar Land Fire Department, was deeply appreciative. From his experience as a firefighter, he knows that putting a cuddly teddy bear into the hands of a frightened child at the scene of an accident can offer comfort beyond words. “Giving the child something soft to hug takes their attention way from the chaos and makes them less afraid,” said McLemore.

Fuller finds most of her animals at garage sales and thrift shops. Co-workers and neighbors also donate animals. Once they are washed, dried and brushed, she works on them assembly-line style. Worn neck ribbons are replaced; frayed tags are snipped away. Fresh stuffing is added when necessary. Fuller doesn’t use animals with small parts or replace small parts such as missing eyes; buttons can be hazardous. “I’m very particular about the process,” said Fuller.

She works on from 5 to 20 animals at a time. “I have a 10 to 20 animal per week habit,” she said with a laugh. “It’s like a hospital.” If that’s true, then Fuller is a gifted surgeon. When she has completed each patient’s repairs, it’s next to impossible to detect that they not brand new. It’s hard to imagine that these animals could ever have been loved as much as when they’re put into the arms of a frightened child caught in the midst of often terrifying circumstances.

“Once a crisis involving firemen or policemen is over, the last thing we want is for children to be afraid of us,” said McLemore. “We don’t want them to hide when they see us, and giving out the animals goes a long way to establishing a level of trust. They know we’re there to help.”

Fuller has also donated her beloved animals to the cities of Stafford, Missouri City and Meadows. In appreciation, the Sugar Land City Council recently acknowledged Fuller for her contributions to the community.

The manager of Prudential Gary Greene’s Fort Bend office, Nikki Owen, said, “Some might walk away from an on-going project of this size and scope, but Marie Fuller is as dedicated to helping her community as she is to helping her clients. We’re very proud of her efforts on behalf of the children in our area.”

For more information, visit http://www.GaryGreene.com

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