Every year REALTORS® from throughout Illinois volunteer and give back to their communities during the holiday season. Here are a few of those stories.
Champaign County Association of REALTORS®
In November, around a dozen members of the Champaign County Association of REALTORS® (CCAR) delivered 120 blankets to five different charities as part of CCAR’s Community and Member Involvement Group’s Bundles of Warmth initiative. The charities benefiting from the blankets included: Developmental Services Center, Courage Connection, Crisis Nursery, Strides Shelter and CU @Home/ Phoenix Drop-in Center.
Participating members included: Marty Carlson, Lindsay Dasenbrock, Deana Gauze, Keith Hart, Seth Harris, Carrie Johnston, Lysandra Lara, Davonne Porter, Rebecca Rowe, Rebecca Russell, Jessica Woolcott, DeAnna Williams, Jessica Woolcott and Amelia Zachary
Realty Executives Elite
In December, following a toy drive and its seventh annual Winter Wonderfest, Realty Executives Elite in Lemont donated 650 toys to the Pediatric Oncology Foundation in Orland Park. The foundation provides toys to comfort kids and teens fighting cancer across the country.
Winter Wonderfest is free and open to the community so that children and attendees can get a photo with Santa, enjoy refreshments, participate in arts and crafts activities and receive a personalized ornament. More than 300 people attended.
“What started as a toy drive comprised of friends and family of our brokers has grown to an annual community event that many people look forward to every year,” said Chris Budz, designated managing broker/owner, Realty Executives Elite. “Over the last seven years, we have collected and donated more than 4,300 toys. For Winter Wonderfest, we have a 30-foot-by-40-foot heated tent with cookies and hot cocoa for the children, crafts, an outdoor petting zoo and beautiful pictures with Santa in front of a Christmas tree. We have an amazing relationship with the Treasure Chest Foundation, and over the years we have become one of their biggest annual donors. Each year the event grows in popularity.”
Dickerson & Nieman Realtors
In December, Dickerson & Nieman Realtors in Rockford hosted its 7th annual Bikes for Tykes 50/50 Raffle, collecting $7,000 and using it to purchase 55 bikes and helmets for children in the local community. The gifts were donated to a local toy drive benefiting the Salvation Army of Winnebago County. Over the last seven years, Dickerson & Nieman has donated 339 bikes and helmets to the local Salvation Toy Drive.
More than 65 Dickerson & Nieman agents and staff members participated in the project, including REALTORS® Frank Wehrstein and Larry Holen, designated managing broker and general manager.
“Our staff and agents look forward each year to this event and give generously of their time and resources to make this a tremendous success. I certainly appreciate the enthusiasm and joy we all get from participating in this great program,” said Holen.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate
Each year, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate in St. Charles provides a Thanksgiving meal and pantry staples for one family through TriCity Family Services in Geneva, as well as Christmas gifts and food for another family.
For the last decade, the brokerage has partnered with TriCity to support the mental health needs of Kane County residents. The organization is the leading provider of counseling and other mental health services for people of all ages and all income levels in Kane County.
The brokerage’s volunteer efforts continue year-round. In the summer, REALTORS® filled 125 backpacks with school supplies for children served by TriCity Family Services. They also participated in the office’s diaper drive and contributed thousands of diapers to the Willow Creek Food Pantry.
Participating members included Bill Brooks, Mag Bussey, Pat Cain, Rhonda Caughlin, Irene DiBona, Christine Ewald, Kelly Fagan, Beverly Gamble, Valerie Grohe, Mike Grohe, Filomena Hautzinger, Lisa Heise, Matias Hernandez, Michelle Kewin, Frances Lawson, Pat Lindemann, Lori Linkimer, Tanya McGrath, Michelle Meyer, Mark Morgan, Ilma Stajer, Jennifer Strubler, Carol Weinert, Rex Zimmerman and Carolyn Zasada.
