The world's largest realty agency has an office right in Erie County. Erie News Now checked out the company's local approach in this week's Giving You the Business report.

It's not just about the clients; it's about connecting with the community, too.

The book "Millionaire Real Estate Agent" started to grow a real estate journey for Tom Jones and many other agents.

"But the sub text of the book is not about the money. It never was," said Jones. "It's about how we can be successful. How we can think big, dream big, work big, and create big."

Tom is the team leader for the Erie office of Keller Williams, a company started by Gary Keller and Joe Williams in Austin, Texas

"Since 1983, Keller Williams has grown to be the largest real estate company in the world," said Jones. 

He says it's a model designed by real estate agents for real estate agents.

"We work within residential investment, commercial, industrial real estate," said Jones. 

There are eight offices that run from Pittsburgh to Erie. There are about 35 agents at the Erie County Real Estate Sales Group.

It's situated off Village Common Drive in Millcreek and primarily focuses on Northwest Pa., but also serves clients in Ohio and New York.

"I just like the adventure going into the homes, and then helping people actually get through the contract," said Ron Kleppick. "That's the hard part, really."

Ron Kleppick sells residential real estate but also heads up many of the office's philanthropic activities throughout the year.

There are blood drives and school backpack programs, and what the company calls "RED Day," where team members take part in a service project.

The latest effort is a coat and blanket drive for the Upper Room shelter in Erie.

"We have a lot of people we touch, a lot of people that we talk to. In some cases, hundreds, in some cases thousands," said Kleppick. "There's no reason why we just can't ask somebody to just see if they have a coat or blanket to give."

A simple gesture, providing warmth while working to help others find a place to call home.

If you would like to help the realty team with their coat and blanket drive, visit here. 

Blessing Baskets: 
drop off 
Noon to 3pm Sunday, Nov. 19
Keller Williams Realty 
2564 Village Common Dr., Erie (Millcreek) 
 
Items for  laundry basket - no plastic of paper bags
 
$15 Turkey gift card to WEGMANS, GIANT EAGLE, WALMART
Canned goods for Thanksgiving meal (CORN, GREEN BEANS, CRANBERRIES) 
Boxes of gravy & mashed potatoes
Muffin or biscuit mix 
Non perishable dessert (jello, pudding, cake mix) 
Kool-aid packets 
 
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Blizzard of Blankets Collection
 
Drop off for THE UPPER ROOM SHELTER 
At Perry Sq. Gazebo 
Erie 
Saturday, November 18
8:30am-Noon