As REALTORS® from across Southwestern Illinois joined together to celebrate their success in the industry, they took the time to listen to a soldier’s story and give back in a big way – by donating $1,700 in less than six minutes.

More than 200 members of the REALTOR® Association of Southwestern Illinois (RASI) gathered at the Falls Conference Center on March 7 to honor and celebrate each other’s accomplishments in the prior year. Production Awards were given out as well as special awards, such as REALTOR® and Rookie of the Year. However, what many viewed as the highlight of the day was the presentation given by Dustin Row, founder of Songs4Soldiers.

Father, musician, and veteran of the Iraq War, Row founded Songs4Soldiers intending to help four combat veterans a year. The Songs4Soldiers website has helped more than 280 veterans and their families since 2013 as well as six veteran organizations. Songs4Soldiers has provided rent and mortgage payments and vehicle expenses for military veterans while making sure 100 percent of donations go directly to the needs of those veterans.

REALTOR® Sam Row, a RASI member, introduced his brother to the crowd. Then Dustin said, “Seeing Sam’s success (along with another brother’s), has inspired me to take chances even when everybody says not to.”

As a six-minute Songs4Soldiers video played, eyes teared up and donation buckets were filled.

“We are proud to be able to support such amazing organizations,” said REALTOR® Renee Wittenauer, Chairperson of the RASI Community Involvement Committee and recipient of the 2018 RASI Community Involvement Award. “At an event where we celebrate our success and our industry, it remains paramount to our organization that we give back to and support our community.”

Last year, RASI members raised $1,400 at their annual awards luncheon for the REALTORS® Relief Foundation.

To learn more about Songs4Soldiers, visit songs4soldiersstl.org.