Chicago Real Estate Agents Raising Funds For CMN At Twice 2007 Pace Despite Difficult Market

The 3,300 northern Illinois real estate agents of the RE/MAX network more than doubled the funds they raised for the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) through the first 10 months of 2008 despite a real estate market that is among the most challenging in recent memory.

Last year, the northern Illinois real estate network raised $105,000 in the January-October period, before finishing the year at $241,000. Through the first 10 months of this year, donations totaled $218,000. It seems likely the RE/MAX Northern Illinois network will to top its 2007 annual total because a large percentage of annual donations usually are made during the final two months of the year.

RE/MAX is the official real estate sponsor of CMN, and most funds raised for that organization in the northern Illinois region go directly to Children’s Memorial Hospital of Chicago. Contributions from RE/MAX agents in the western part of the region benefit the Children’s Hospital of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.

The donations to CMN are generated in many ways. A significant portion comes through the Miracle Office program, in which every agent in a RE/MAX office pledges to donate a set amount for each property sold or makes a single annual gift.

Gifts from RE/MAX agents in other offices and donations raised by special events created by RE/MAX offices are the other key sources of support. This year, these special events have included an inter-office softball game, bowling party, Las Vegas night, Hawaiian luau, St. Patrick’s Day party and Miracle Day fund-raising event in Hinsdale co-sponsored by two RE/MAX offices.

“The fund-raising efforts of our agents so far in 2008 have far exceeded our expectations, particularly in relation to the activity level in the real estate market,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of the RE/MAX network in northern Illinois. “It has been a challenging year for all real estate professionals, yet our agents have been persistent in their efforts for CMN reflecting their ‘Above the Crowd!’® commitment to this charity.”

“With the holiday season still ahead of us and several major fundraising events on the calendar, I’m confident we will substantially exceed last year’s total,” Merrion said.

In addition to its sponsorship of CMN, RE/MAX is the exclusive real estate partner and a Platinum Sponsor of Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

The 3,300 RE/MAX associates in northern Illinois are pleased to support the efforts of the hospital through a variety of fundraising activities as they continue to lead in residential real estate.