Using the proceeds of a white elephant auction, a food drive, monetary donations from brokers, vendors, clients and neighbors, the Baird & Warner Fox Valley office donated $28,000 and 2,500 pounds of food to area food pantries in November and December.

“At Baird & Warner, we focus on giving back to the community,” said Vicki Deane, assistant manager of Baird & Warner Fox Valley. “We felt this was the best way to spread the donations to impact the most people.”

The office started collecting cash and food donations in November, aiming for a goal of $10,000. “Our brokers, vendors, clients and neighbors pitched in,” she said. “We donated the proceeds of the white elephant auction for our Christmas party – $6,700 – and received matching grants from Baird & Warner Good Will Works. With cash and food, we nearly tripled our goal.”

Nonprofit organizations that received donations included the Northern Illinois Food Bank as well as the Aurora Interfaith, Batavia, Elburn, Elgin, Sycamore and Burlington food pantries. About 130 people participated in the fundraising, according to Baird & Warner.