End of Summer Community BBQ

The first week in October we held our first end of summer community BBQ, it was a great success. We served BBQ pork, hotdogs, hamburgers, coleslaw, potato salad, soda, chips, baked beans and all the fixin’s (check your southern dictionary).

From the kids running around playing, to the adults taking the time to get to know one another better,and everyone enjoying the food, it was really a great time, the residents really appreciated our efforts. There were many memorable moments shared by the residents, but there was one comment that really struck a chord for me. It was the end of the day when a number of people were leaving and I overheard one resident ask another, why are they doing this for us? The other resident answered because they care, they’re not like the old owners.

It made me stop and think, isn’t it a shame to be involved in a business that can be as lucrative as this one can be if run properly, and the previous owners never gave anything back, overgrown conditions, people problems, no enforcement of the rules, no improvements, just a downward spiral. There was a time when this park was totally full.

I think it’s important for us to remember this is a people business, when we serve others by providing a safe and clean environment to live in we will benefit also, these same residents will tell friends, relatives and co workers about us and their community, remember word of mouth advertising is the best kind of advertising possible.

It’s been fifteen months and 25 home sales later, the first six months we did nothing but clean up, I would have to say looking back we had our priorities right and the results we’re getting is the confirmation, remember this really is a people business.

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