REALTORS® from McHenry County showed their community spirit through three charitable projects in late 2020.

Members of the Heartland REALTOR® Organization rang bells for the Salvation Army in Crystal Lake and McHenry County, collected food and toys for the local U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program and helped a local high school provide food, clothes and presents for needy families.

Toys for Tots

Heartland collected 157 unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots program as well as a carload of non-perishable food that was given to the local chapter of the Salvation Army.

“The power of Heartland staff and members networking to collect toys for children in our community was incredible!” said Heartland’s 2021 President Erin Dierks of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate in Woodstock. “Despite the challenges of this year, and not getting together for our usual event, we were still able to collect plenty of toys! Thank you all who helped and donated!”

Heartland has supported Toys for Tots for many years because of it helps less fortunate children enjoy Christmas, helps children and helps improve communities. About 20 members participated.

The Salvation Army

Led by the Heartland Cares Task Force, 31 members rang bells over two days and collected about $1,100 in donations in the traditional red kettles for the Salvation Army of Crystal Lake and McHenry County.

“What a great two days of bell ringing,” said Dierks, who noted that members quickly filled time slots  even with extra safety precautions for COVID-19. “We had perfect weather, ample volunteers from Heartland AND many, many generous donations from community members all day long.”

Helping families of some high school students

After speaking with a high school counselor, Heartland CEO Jim Haisler discovered that several families needed extra assistance this holiday season. Once he shared that information with the Heartland Cares Task Force, members gathered toiletries and cleaning products for a school counselor to distribute.

The Heartland REALTOR® Organization serves more than 1,000 members and about 100 affiliate members. It is led by Haisler, Dierks, President-elect Tim Sebastian of RE/MAX Connections II in Marengo, Treasurer Karen Conley of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate in Crystal Lake, and Immediate Past President Kelly Simpson of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group in McHenry.

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Members in this photo include Lori Amato, Erin Dierks, Katie O’Neill, Susan Colditz, Jen Long and affiliate member Phil Sweeney.
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Volunteers take a breather during the Toys for Tots event.
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REALTOR® volunteers direct traffic and accept donations from community members in early December.
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(l to r) Erin Bjornson, John Reinert, and Laura Zarembski; Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate.
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(l to r) Erin Bjornson, Vanessa Thomfohrda, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate; and Joe Pratt, First American Title Company.
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(l to r) Susan Colditz, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate; and Holly O’Hair, Keller Williams Success Realty.
Heartland Ring 4
(l to r) Marlene Castagna, Baird & Warner; and Ivette Rodriguez Anderson, Keller Williams Success Realty.
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(l to r) Erin Dierks, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate and Brian Augustine, Guaranteed Rate ring the bells.