The Community Interfaith Food Pantry in Belleville and the Griffin Center in East St. Louis received donations from the REALTOR® Association of Southwestern Illinois (RASI) in December.

The pantry received 440 pounds of non-perishable food following the association’s Second Annual Holiday Celebration on Dec. 12, while the Griffin Center received a van load of children’s toys for Christmas presents. The local association gave a total of nearly $200 total for the organizations.

Food and toys collected by the REALTOR Association of Southwestern Illinois

RASI members collected non-perishable food and toys to help the less fortunate in the Metro East area.

“Our members are so generous anytime they see a need,” said Donna Baker, RASI president. “Giving brings such a great joy and giving back to your own community is important. Our REALTORS® know that serving those in need serves the whole community.”

The association will continue its efforts to help those in the Metro East. Throughout 2019, the association also helped the REALTOR® Relief Fund and the Airmen’s Attic at Scott Air Force Base.

RASI is led by CEO Deb Frazier, President Donna Baker of RE/MAX Preferred in O’Fallon, President-elect Celeste Wheeler of RE/MAX Preferred in O’Fallon, Treasurer Karen Sheesley of Strano & Associates Real Estate in O’Fallon and Immediate Past President Judy Ross of Southern Illinois Realty, LLC in Smithton. RASI serves 1,003 members.

(This is the 16th in a series of blog posts about charitable community work performed by local Illinois REALTORS® during the finals months of the year. Watch for more stories in the coming days.)