After windows were broken in numerous Freeport businesses following the riots after the death of George Floyd in late May, the REALTOR® Association of Northwestern Illinois (RANWIL) showed its community support.
RANWIL leaders partnered with several local organizations and the city of Freeport to raise money for more than 20 small businesses damaged following protests. As part of that support, they applied for a $3,000 Community Rebuilding Grant from the National Association of REALTORS® that will be donated to the organization Downtown Freeport Events to help pay for window repairs.
“It is important for us all to join to heal our community, and we must never forget the focus of this powerful movement sweeping our nation. This grant will aid in that effort,” said RANWIL Association Executive Ginger Sreenan.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the Floyd family in this tragic time,” said NAR President Vince Malta, a broker at Malta & Co., Inc., in San Francisco, Calif. “NAR is committed to fighting racial injustices and championing policies that build safe and inclusive communities.”
RANWIL echoes Malta’s sentiments and has a proven track record of working in support of fair housing, equality and inclusion initiatives.
The process began after Illinois REALTORS® Local Governmental Affairs Director Neeley Erickson reached out to Freeport Mayor Jodi Miller and asked if anything could be done to help the community.
Officials at RANWIL said the grant will serve as a catalyst to speed healing Freeport. “We are more than ready to be part of the overall solution, and this $3,000 Community Rebuilding Grant is a great first step,” said RANWIL President Ann Haag of Key Realty in Freeport.
(Standing l to r) Pam Borowski, Jodi Miller, Paisley Haas, Kelly Chesney, Brooke Deininger. Ann Haag, Josh Longamore, Neeley Erickson and Cal Wescott hold a check from RANWIL to help businesses in downtown Freeport fix damaged windows. [JANE LETHLEAN/THE JOURNAL-STANDARD CORRESPONDENT]
