The National Association of REALTORS® announced 10 finalists for its 2019 Good Neighbor Awards today, including New Lenox-area REALTOR® Dale Taylor, GRI, ABR.

Taylor is a broker for RE/MAX 10 New Lenox, and he’s been recognized for his volunteer work with the nonprofit organization South Suburban Public Action to Deliver Shelter (SSPADS). Since its opening more than 28 years ago, SSPADS has provided emergency shelter and meals to individuals and families in Chicago’s south suburbs. The organization estimates that it’s helped more than 17,000 children, women and men.

Taylor began his real estate career about 32 years ago, and he became a REALTOR® in 1988. As a member of the Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS®, he’s served as its president in 2006 and in 2010 was named its REALTOR® of the Year. For Illinois REALTORS®, he’s served on numerous committees since 2001, including Housing Opportunity Working Group, Professional Standards Committee and Conference & Expo Working Group in 2019. Read more about Taylor.

In October, REALTOR® Magazine will announce five Good Neighbor Award winners and five honorable mentions. Winners will each receive $10,000 grants for their charities as well as travel expenses to the 2019 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in San Francisco, Nov. 8-11, where they will be recognized by their peers. Honorable mentions will receive $2,500 grants for their charities.

Learn more about the 2019 finalists and nonprofit organizations they devote themselves to.

Web Choice Award competition starts now

For the next month, friends and family members can cast online votes for their favorite finalists in the Web Choice Award competition. The three finalists with the most votes will win bonus grants. Voting ends Sept. 28. Cast your vote today.

In 2018, Michael LaFargue of Coldwell Banker Residential in Chicago won the Web Choice Award and received an honorable mention. He worked with several nonprofits related to transportation, schools, neighborhoods and parks in an effort to make change in underserved areas of Chicago. As president of the West Chesterfield Community Association, he 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 also received an honorable mention. He 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 helps veterans by making needed repairs to their homes, such as replacing aging systems and constructing wheelchair ramps to accommodate disabilities.