When it comes to serving Will and Grundy counties in northeastern Illinois, the Three Rivers Association of REALTORS® conducts several community service projects to help the less fortunate, especially in November and December.

“Our association covers a large geographic area, and we do our best to spread our time and money to as much of that area as possible,” says Debby Bell, spokesperson for Three Rivers and a broker with Realty Executives Success in Shorewood, IL.

Debby Bell

The first event is supporting an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Three Rivers office, 303 Springfield Ave., in Joliet, IL. Donors will receive a free holiday pie as a thank you for donating blood, while the first 50 donors will get a T-shirt. Some members will bake pies as incentives for community participants, while others will donate blood.

The second project is a Coat Drive for the Spanish Community Center in Joliet that wraps up Dec. 6.  Members will help publicize the activity, set up drop-off points and organize the donations by size and type. This charity provides year-round day care, a food pantry, information about immigration and citizenship, and holiday food baskets to families.

The third project is an annual Food and Christmas Gift Collection for the MorningStar Mission in Joliet. This charity provides food for the hungry, clothing for the needy and shelter for the homeless. Members help spread the word about the project, gather donations and help clients of the mission pack food and gifts into their vehicles on the Tuesday before Christmas.

“Donating your time is a precious thing,” Bell says, “and our membership really steps up!”

TRAR officers include: President Deborah Prodehl of Homer Glen, President-Elect James Sim of Mokena, Secretary-Treasurer Matthew Persicketti of Joliet and Association Executive David McClintock of Joliet.

(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.”)