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Agent recruits homeless man as walking billboard

By Staff Reporter
10 June 2014 | 5 minute read

A US agent has ‘sponsored’ a local homeless man to hold up a sign advertising his office in exchange for getting the man back on his feet.

Earlier this year, Chris Rezac was holding a sign that read "I’m cold. I’m homeless. I’m hungry. Spare anything", on a street corner in Denver.

But now his sign reads “No need for your cash! I’m sponsored by Joe Manzanares at RE/MAX”, along with contact details for the agent.

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When Mr Manzanares’ car broke down near Mr Rezac, the homeless man helped push the car out of the intersection. Mr Manzanares then gave the man $25 and told him to give him a call in the morning.

Mr Rezac told Fox News in the US that not only is there a guaranteed pay cheque every day, but passers-by are treating him differently.

“There’s a lot more people saying, ‘Chris, you got a job!’” Mr Rezac said.

While the idea has launched the agent into international headlines, Mr Manzanares believes it is more than just gaining marketing exposure.

“It literally is kind of like a sponsorship - I want to try and help him find a job,” he said.

According to Fox News, Mr Manzanares has already supplied Mr Rezac with new clothes, meals, a trip to the barber, a cell phone, bus pass and resume and is working on finding him a home.

“I hope every realtor does this,” Mr Manzanares said. “I hope every small business takes advantage and maybe takes someone’s face and brings a name to it.”

Mr Rezac told Fox News it doesn’t take much to lose everything, even with qualifications.

“I’m actually a certified welder, certified forklift operator,” Mr Rezac said.

“To have the chance to get back on my feet is something that I’ve been begging for for a long time.”

 

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