Matt Laricy (center) is the managing broker for the Laricy Group.

For Illinois REALTOR® Matt Laricy, it isn’t enough that his business, the Matt Laricy Group, is ranked in the top 1 percent of real estate sales in Chicago.

His website urges clients to “think big, choose small,” just as he does as a volunteer on the executive committee for the Make-A-Wish Illinois foundation. He thinks big on behalf of the small children this non-profit organization helps.

You’ve probably heard how the Make-A-Wish foundation has helped children with life-threatening illnesses get their wishes granted. Maybe you’ve seen a story on television or watched a video on YouTube.

In 2006 Laricy was hooked. “When I graduated college, I was looking to be a part of a charitable organization. One Sunday, I watched a kid get his wish granted by the National Football League, and I was hooked from there. I was inspired by the fact that the organization helps create hope for sick kids.”

In fact, since its creation in 1985, the Make-A-Wish Illinois foundation has granted more than 13,000 wishes to children in the “Land of Lincoln.”

Laricy enjoys his role with the organization, helping to recruit new executive committee members and helping to raise funds at events during the year.

He’s very proud of a recent project. “We just recently launched our signature event in a bigger space,” he said. “We have an event called, ‘I Wish to Party!’ and we used to do it at ‘the Roof on the Wit’ (A DoubleTree Hotel in Chicago’s Theatre District). We outgrew the space, but had to take a big chance on securing a new space. There were some key board members who made some big moves, and they were able to get us a bigger space for a lower cost. We ended up having more than 450 people at the event and raising more than $120,000.

“One of the speakers was a young girl whose wish was granted,” he said. “Hearing her speak at the event was pretty motivating.”

Laricy’s business is a division of Americorp Real Estate Ltd., led by its president, Illinois REALTOR® Robert Laricy.

Watch the Illinois REALTORS® blog for weekly stories about the community involvement of Illinois REALTORS® during the association’s 100th anniversary year. If you have an idea for a REALTOR® to highlight with an article, please send it to [email protected]. #MemberMonday