From 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 11, the Rockford Area REALTORS® will offer door prizes, appetizers, chocolate treats and chocolate martinis at the “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Chocolate” open house for its 750 members.

The special event has been organized to help solicit donations – primarily unwrapped toys – for the Carrie Lynn Children’s Center.  The center helps families in Boone and Winnebago Counties address child sexual abuse and serious physical abuse through mental health, social and support services.

The open house is just one example of community outreach that members have supported in recent years. A committee helps select different charities or projects for members to support.

Officers include: President Kenneth Redeker of Rockford, President-Elect Alisa Patterson-Orozco of Byron, Secretary-Treasurer Larry Holen of Rockford and Association Executive Steve Bois of Rockford.

(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.”)