Tickets for the 2016 Chicago Real Estate Rumble are almost sold out, but the benefits for charities like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago will continue for some time thanks to REALTORS® Greg Pekarsky and fellow founder Ryan Cotter.
Several years ago, the duo came up with the idea to create an amateur boxing event as a fundraiser for Big Brother Big Sister and the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. The May 19 event is the third they’ve organized together.
Pekarsky says, “This is our third year running the event, and we have raised around $30,000 for the organization (Big Brothers Big Sisters). It takes around $1,500 to create a successful match at BBBS. We have now been able to assist 20 kids get matched with mentors.”
Pekarsky, a real estate professional for about eight years, opened Vesta Preferred LLC (Chicago) in 2009 with REALTOR® Brad Robbins, and so far their team has sold more than 200 homes worth more than $60 million. In 2012, the National Association of REALTORS® honored Pekarsky as one of its “30 Under 30.”
Cotter is a broker for “Conlon: A Real Estate Company,” in Chicago and he is a vice president of The Federal Savings Bank in Chicago. He’s been featured on WGN, NBC and CLTV, as well as Crain’s Chicago Business and the Chicago Tribune as a real estate expert. He’s been an active and enthusiastic boxer for more than 20 years.
Perkarsky and Cotter are also members of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®.
Watch the IARbuzz blog for weekly stories about the community involvement of Illinois REALTORS® during IAR’s 100th Anniversary year. If you have an idea for a REALTOR® to highlight with an article, please send it to [email protected]. #MemberMonday