Quad City Area REALTOR® Association (QCARA) is throwing its energy into several charitable projects this holiday season to help those who are less fortunate.

Among the projects they’re supporting are:

• Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign;
• Festival of Trees Parade;
• U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots campaign; and
• A food drive for homeless families.

Photo courtesy of Quad City Area REALTOR® Association

Together with the REALTOR® Foundation of Iowa, QCARA has already paid it forward to the Salvation Army’s Family Service Center. The two organizations donated $1,000 each to provide the Salvation Army with thousands of meals for homeless families with children.

QCARA is also gathering toys through Dec. 5 for the Toys for Tots campaign. Some agencies purchase items for holiday stockings when toys collected don’t match the needs of all the children.

During the Festival of Trees Parade, volunteers use ropes to hold down a large helium-filled balloon like the ones used in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The balloon – an image of a uniformed soldier – is named “Johnny Comes Marching Home,” and it pays tribute to American soldiers.  Following the balloon is a REALTOR® House on a trailer that helps identify QCARA for parade goers.

QCARA members will be among the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign volunteers in front of Quad City stores during the holiday season, ringing bells and accepting donations in familiar red kettles. Find out more about the Salvation Army of the Quad Cities and the myriad of community services it provides. Check the website for more information.

QCARA officers include: President Tyler Fuhr of Andalusia and Association Executive Sharon Carlson of Bettendorf, IA.

(This is one part of a series of stories that shine a light on charitable community work performed by local Illinois associations and their members.  To see all of the stories published so far, search for “charitable giving.”)