RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon Helped Raise Thousands For Charity In 2007

The RE/MAX hot air balloon, one of the most widely recognized corporate symbols in the world, helped raise an estimated $10,000 for charity at 15 separate fundraising events in northern Illinois during 2007.

The primary charitable beneficiary of the RE/MAX balloon was Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), for which RE/MAX is the exclusive real estate sponsor. Most contributions to CMN made in northern Illinois go to support Children’s Memorial Hospital of Chicago. Contributions made in the Quad Cities and Sterling/Rock Falls areas benefit Children’s Hospital of Iowa.

Other not-for-profit groups that benefited from fundraisers at which the RE/MAX balloon was instrumental included:

* Operation Uplink, a VFW program offering prepaid phone cards to U.S. troops overseas;

* Franciscan Village, an assisted living community near Lemont, Ill.;

* Norridge Cares College Scholarship Fund and Ridgewood High School, both in Norridge, Ill.;

* Huntley High School in Huntley, Ill.;

* “As Good As Gold” Golden Retriever Rescue of Northern Illinois.

The balloon was employed in two ways to solicit contributions. In some instances, rides in the balloon were offered as prizes at live or silent auctions. In other cases, the balloon was used at outdoor events to give tethered rides (in which the balloon lifts off the ground about 30 feet but is restrained by ropes).

"This year, we expanded our balloon program, making our balloon and its crew much more widely available for a variety of events,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of RE/MAX Northern Illinois. “The balloon flew more than 100 point-to-point flights, and made more than 65 other appearances in 2007. Those appearances included RE/MAX corporate events and charity fundraisers, along with our School Balloon Program where the balloon and its crews visit a local school to help teach students about the science and history of hot air ballooning. We’re very pleased with the results of the expanded balloon program and intend to keep the RE/MAX balloon a familiar sight in the skies.”

RE/MAX Northern Illinois Names Patrick Mcdowell As Senior Franchise Development Consultant

RE/MAX Northern Illinois has named Patrick McDowell, 53, of Elmhurst, Ill., as its senior franchise development consultant. He will be based at the RE/MAX Northern Illinois regional office, 2205 Point Blvd., Elgin, and will provide a range of support and business development services to the owners of the 170 RE/MAX offices in the northern Illinois region.

McDowell has 21 years experience as a real estate management consultant, including 10 years as a senior management analyst with RE/MAX Northern Illinois. Most recently he was a business development consultant with GMAC Home Services.

"We welcome Patrick back into the RE/MAX family where we know he will feel very much at home,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of RE/MAX Northern Illinois. “As our network grows, we continue adding skilled staff to maintain the outstanding level of support that has made RE/MAX the world’s leading real estate franchise organization. Patrick’s experience and skill set will be critical forces in helping our offices maximize their potential in this challenging market, which continues to offer many unique opportunities for leadership and growth.”

McDowell has an Illinois real estate sales license and holds a degree in business administration from Elmhurst College. He and his wife, Susan, have three children.