When Cameron Brooks was a little guy, he fell in love with his neighbor’s Golden Retrievers, and waited for the day when he could have one (or two or three) of his own. He was able to fulfill that dream some 16 years ago when he adopted a tall golden boy named Berkeley from Tennessee Valley Golden Retriever Rescue. Since that time, Betty, Michael, Samuel and Annabelle (all goldens) have joined Brooks’ family, plus a German Shepherd named Prince. All have been rescues.
Today, Brooks, is an affiliate broker with Realty Executives Associates North and is in a position to give back to rescue groups like TVGRR and Young-Williams Animal Center, which was the beneficiary of his Pie Day giveaway in March. This event raised more than $4,000 dollars plus a large number of donated items for the center.
“It was a real happy day as it was the first time I had seen many of my community friends in over a year because of the pandemic,” Brooks said.
On Sunday, June 13, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., he and colleagues Gary Sturm of Mortgage Investors Group and Evan Seivers of State Farm will sponsor the second annual Family Pet Portrait Day at 7240 Kingston Pike #184. The first Family Pet Portrait day was held in 2019, but Brooks had to call off last year’s event due to the pandemic. He says it feels good to be making plans again.
“I love hosting events like this to give back to the community. I like to use my business as a mechanism to promote good in the community versus just making money for myself. It goes in line with Justin Bailey’s slogan from Bailey & Company, “People before Profits.”
Sign up for a time slot here.
“Pets and their owners sign up for an exclusive, individual photo shoot with a professional photographer at a designated time, and then later will get a free, five-by-seven print and digital file of their photo,” Brooks said.
Donations will be welcomed, but there is no fee for the photo shoots.
“This year we will be taking up donations for Belly Rubs Bassett Rescue, a southern basset hound rescue group that finds homes for those dogs. Again: donations are strictly voluntary.
One other point: this is not a canine-only event. “You can bring your turtle or lizard, ferret, rabbit. … All pets are welcome,” Brooks said.
Cameron Brooks is an affiliate broker with Realty Executives Associates and publisher of Cameron Brooks News and Views. He can be reached by phone or text at 865-387-4408.
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