Holiday Open House Delivers a Rich Gift To Children’s Memorial

When Cherie Smith Zurek, a RE/MAX agent in Lake Zurich, and Mark Zurek, the owner of Delta Renovations in Barrington, Ill., planned to hold a big holiday open house for family, friends and business associates, they decided to make the party a charitable event, too. So they encouraged their guests to make a donation to Children’s Memorial Hospital of Chicago.

To give their guests added incentive to be generous, Mark sent out an e-mail promising that the hosts would match every donation dollar for dollar. Approximately 200 guests attended the Dec. 15 party, enjoying hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and music by a string quartet. Dozens of donations, some for as much as $250, resulted in a $9,450 gift to Children’s Memorial.

“It was ideal weather for a holiday party, with light snow falling all afternoon,” said Smith Zurek, who is affiliated with RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest in Lake Zurich. “We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our guests.”

It was her idea to make Children’s Memorial the beneficiary of the event.

“Through their involvement in Children’s Miracle Network, RE/MAX agents here in northern Illinois have become leading supporters of Children’s Memorial Hospital, and I have learned what an outstanding job the hospital does aiding children of all backgrounds, no matter what the financial status of their families,” Smith Zurek said.

“Given that this is a season with special meaning for children, it seemed logical to dedicate our celebration to helping Children’s Memorial. We look at as a way to make a gift to every child who may ever need the services of that wonderful hospital.”

RE/MAX Hot-Air Balloon Will Make Two Educational Visits To Morris Schools In January

Students at the White Oak Elementary School and Immaculate Conception School, both in Morris, Ill., will learn about hot air ballooning when the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon and its crew visit each school to present a special indoor, interactive, educational program during January. The visits are part of an on-going balloon education program developed by RE/MAX Northern Illinois.

The students will learn about various aspects of ballooning, its history and the scientific principles involved. Plus, they will see a demonstration on how the balloon functions. During one portion of the program, students will be able to walk inside the balloon envelope, which is partially inflated with cold air. This demonstration will help them learn more about ballooning and how it relates to the subjects they study in school.

At White Oak, 55 White Oak Dr., the program will be presented twice on Jan. 17 at 8:45 and 9:45 a.m., with half the student body attending each session. Jana Padovano, an agent with RE/MAX Top Properties in Morris, Ill., is sponsoring this event.

At Immaculate Conception, 505 E. North St., the program will begin in the school gymnasium at 9 a.m. on Jan. 28, with a second presentation to follow if it is needed to accommodate all the students. Kimberly Thuente of RE/MAX Top Properties is the sponsor of this balloon team visit.

Bash Celebrates Year That Saw RE/MAX Raise $200,000 For Children’s Memorial Hospital

RE/MAX Northern Illinois agents celebrated a year of successful fundraising for Children’s Memorial Hospital by presenting a facsimile check for $200,000, an amount the regional RE/MAX network hopes to exceed when all 2007 contributions are totaled. The check was presented at the finale of the annual RE/MAX Holiday Bash, held Dec. 18 at Venuti’s Banquets & Ristorante in Addison, Ill.

The Bash is a holiday party, featuring entertainment, holiday shopping and networking, while also serving as a special fundraising event for Children’s Memorial. This year, RE/MAX agents from across northern Illinois raised $6,500 for Children’s Memorial at the Bash by purchasing raffle tickets for a chance to win a wide range of prizes and by participating in silent and live auctions.

RE/MAX Northern Illinois agents have been Platinum sponsors of Children’s Memorial for the last several years as part of their support for the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN). All funds raised for CMN in the Chicago area benefit Children’s Memorial, which is one of 170 CMN hospitals throughout the United States and Canada. Funds contributed by RE/MAX offices in the western portion of the Northern Illinois region, including the Sterling/Dixon/ Freeport area and the Quad Cities, benefit the Children’s Hospital of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.

The 2007 effort is just the latest expression of support for Children’s Memorial, which provides world-class care to children regardless of the financial status of their families. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network currently is one of the largest Platinum-level corporate sponsors. Platinum sponsorship requires an annual commitment of $100,000 to $500,000 from a single business organization.

"We feel that supporting the great work of Children’s Memorial is a perfect way for RE/MAX to express its thanks to the thousands of families who trust us to help buy or sell their homes each year,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of RE/MAX Northern Illinois. “The hospital is an unsurpassed medical resource for children in northern Illinois, and it is a privilege for us to be a part of this effort and to advance the great work of Children’s dedicated, talented physicians and staff.”