Led by its CARES Committee and its Young Professionals Network (YPN) Council, the Rockford Area REALTORS® raised $7,233 for two local nonprofit organizations this summer.

Using an open house to attract attention to the Rockford Area REALTORS® new offices, the CARES Committee held a Christmas in July party, with a Christmas tree decorating contest. The event attracted more than 100 members who donated items for the PAWS Humane Society in Rockford, a no-kill animal shelter that services Winnebago and Boone Counties.

The REALTORS® donated 241 items and collected $1,233 to the cause.

In a separate event, the Rockford Area REALTORS® YPN Council hosted its seventh annual Epic Water Battle to raise money for a local nonprofit organization. This year, the council chose Miss Carly’s, an organization that provides food, shelter and supplies for the homeless, as well as others struggling with poverty and drug addiction. The REALTORS® raised $6,000 toward its annual goal of $10,000.

Teams of 10 competed in an adult-style water balloon and water gun fight. In this double elimination event, two teams went head-to-head to fill their buckets or have the most water in their buckets.

“It is just such a fun-filled day for everybody. You can bring your kids out. You’re out in the sun and everyone just comes together as a community,” said YPN Chair Melissa McDonald.

“We are so grateful that Rockford REALTORS® chose to raise money for us this year,” said Miss Carly’s founder Carly Rice. “I feel like we really took the brunt at the beginning of the virus, and we’ve stayed at the number for so long. We need all the help we can get.”

The Rockford Area REALTORS® are led by CEO Conor Brown, President Jerry Gibson, President-elect Brad Marinelli, Treasurer Ginger Sreenan and Immediate Past President Rose Schlickman. The local association serves approximately 1,000 members.

(Learn more about these events by clicking on the photos below.)

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Members of the Rockford Area REALTORS® CARES Committee collected needed items and gathered donations for the PAWS Humane Society. Those on hand included (l to r) CEO Conor Brown, Pam DeSanti, Robin Henry, Connie Kelly, Ceil Rheingans and Ashley Downing.
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The RAR CARES Committee donated more than $1,200 and over 200 items needed by PAWS Humane Society in Rockford through “Christmas in July” events this summer.
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In staging its seventh annual Epic Water Battle, the Rockford Area REALTORS® YPN Council raised $6,000 for a local organization that gives food, shelter and supplies to the homeless and helps others fighting poverty and drug addiction.