Humanity is an intricate, beautiful web of existence, exploration and interconnectivity. Each strand contributes to something larger, if it’s twisted or pulled in the right direction. It’s often difficult to know – or even find – which strand is worth pulling and twisting, but there’s a distinct quality in having confidence that the web won’t tear or tangle if there’s positive force behind it.
There’s also something special in knowing there’s more than one individual or group working towards a common goal to keep this delicate entity of life strong, vibrant and connected. Not only that, but there’s a sense of cohesive responsibility in maintaining a person-to-person connection. It has quickly become a lost art in today’s world, and it’s up to every man, woman and child to keep that spark lit so others have a path to follow.
By the same token, it’s even more special to step back, look at the results of a combined effort and know that whatever was built – whether it’s a web, a road or even a house – is strong enough to last long after the work is done. As Heather Caine and Tammy Flynn have discovered, this is a feeling that warms the soul and makes the heart smile.
In 2016, the two made the decision to work together to turn ordinary houses into homes for families in need. Caine, owner of a real estate brokerage known as Caine Premier Properties with offices located in Texas and Florida, launched Let’s Get Moving – a fundraising and physical fitness program aimed to help raise the money needed to furnish newly-built houses. Flynn, the lead realtor at Caine Premier Properties, saw an opportunity to instill core values into communities of all sizes with this endeavor – and ultimately give back to the people in those communities.
They set out to put their passions and ideas into meaningful action, hoping to utilize their combined experience in real estate to turn the framework of new houses into beautiful, livable homes.
That leap of faith turned into a personal mission, as Caine and Flynn have partnered with Habitat for Humanity – an organization built on fostering strong community values – to recently finish furnishing their first house in McKinney, Texas. The project was deeply moving and inspiring for them, as it was for Faramarz Fakory, a military veteran, and his family.
Fakory, who served eight years as an interpreter in the United States Army and Air Force, was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for his service. This was prior to Fakory receiving a sponsorship to move from Afghanistan to the US for the safety of himself and his family of seven. They are currently legal residents of the United States and have applied for US citizenship. Due to being a contracted employee of the US government, however, Fakory was not eligible for most military benefits.
He had hoped to move his family into a bigger house upon hearing this news. He even left his old home behind with the prospect of not only raising his five children in their current two-bedroom apartment in Texas, but also having a chance to live The American Dream.
When the dream was made possible through Habitat for Humanity, Caine and Flynn were ready and willing to help make this house a home, after learning about this serviceman and his story. They gathered a team of approximately 25 volunteers of their local retailors to help furnish and personally decorate the Fakory’s brand new home, following the dedicated and tireless work of the crew at Habitat for Humanity. In addition, Let’s Get Moving raised over $1500, along with over $2,000 in furniture and decorations from other business partners.
Caine and Flynn agree that the main reason they were so eager to work on the Fakory’s home was because they wanted to make the family’s dream of owning a home a reality. The many sacrifices the family has made further inspired the powerhouse team to move forward with their work. This was a big project and their first, but they don’t plan on stopping. After initially meeting with the family, they used their expertise to personalize their new surroundings, to make it feel like home.
With their next venture set in Naples, Florida on Dec. 2, Heather and Tammy are looking to get even more people involved in their mission – and expand along the way. This won’t be the first time Caine and Flynn worked to make a house a home in Naples, however, as they furnished another house there earlier this year. Caine and Flynn’s ultimate goal is to raise enough funds to fully furnish one house every quarter, but they know none of this would be possible without a genuine collaborate effort. As they say, “Teamwork makes the dream work!”
It’s one thing to read about something like this in a newspaper, or to hear about it on the nightly news. It’s an entirely different thing to have the opportunity to spread the simple joy of goodness in such turbulent times. Here’s to making many more families’ dreams come true – one home at a time!
For more information on how to donate to Let’s Get Moving, or to get involved in Heather and Tammy’s mission, please contact heather@cainepremierproperties.com or tammy@cainepremierproperties.com.