Illinois REALTORS® Michael LaFargue and Jack Persin were honored by the National Association of REALTORS® in Boston Saturday for their commitment to volunteering and improving their communities.

LaFargue, of Chicago, and Persin, of Naperville, were named 2018 REALTOR® Magazine Good Neighbor Award honorable mentions. The annual award honors REALTORS® from around the country who make a difference in their community.

This year’s five Good Neighbor winners and five honorable mentions were recognized during an awards dinner during the REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Boston. LaFargue and Persin also received $2,500 grants for their charities as honorable mentions; LaFargue will also receive a $2,500 bonus grant as the Web Choice Favorite winner.

• Michael LaFargue, of Coldwell Banker Residential in Chicago, has worked with several nonprofits related to transportation, schools, neighborhoods and parks in an effort to make change in underserved areas of Chicago. He is president of the West Chesterfield Community Association and led an effort to install 40 neighborhood security cameras, which led to the arrest of suspects in the murder of a local judge. He also leads the Red Line Extension Coalition which helped drive a $2 billion, 5.3-mile train route expansion that would benefit people in underserved areas.
• Jack Persin, of Baird & Warner in Naperville, co-founded Naperville Responds for Veterans, a nonprofit that helps low and moderate-income veterans and their families live with dignity and remain in their homes as they age. The organization has helped nearly 200 veterans to date by making needed repairs, such as replacing aging systems and constructing wheelchair ramps to accommodate disabilities.

LaFargue says there are two things that drive him to give back to his community.

First, he said he felt it was his turn to follow and keep alive the traditions of previous leaders who have worked to maintain and improve West Chesterfield, an important part of Chicago’s neighborhood quilt. And second, LaFargue said it is important for REALTORS® to keep their names in the forefront to generate business and volunteerism is a way to do this.

“Find a cause that is important to you and participate,” he said.

A sense of duty to the community and a desire to make a difference are also important to Persin, who says that other REALTORS® can find their own personal ways to give back.

“There are so many ways to help,” he says. “Some choose a path of financial assistance, some by donating their time to make a difference, others set a path by organizing and leading a cause for helping others in need.”