The holiday season may be over, but the joy of gift-giving remains for the agents of RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest, who recently distributed more than 1,000 toys collected over the holidays to Toys for Tots and Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.  At Children’s Memorial, the giving proved extra special because agent Lisa Savage and broker/manager Lee Bialek shared in the joy first-hand by going to the hospital and making the rounds with fellow agents, giving away some of the toys and leaving an additional 700 toys for children’s gifts through the year.

              This year, for the first time, RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest collected toys for both Toys for Tots and Children’s Memorial.  Previously, RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest had collected toys for Toys for Tots and, as a separate organization, RE/MAX Tri-County had collected them for Children’s Memorial. In 2005, RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest purchased Tri-County, and now the two residential brokerages are united under the RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest banner.

Toys for Tots (the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation) is an organization run by the U.S. Marine Corps that donates toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts during the winter holiday season.  From 1947 through 2004, Marines distributed over 332.5 million toys to more than 158.8 million needy children worldwide.  One of the goals of the program is to deliver a message of hope that will inspire youngsters to grow into productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.

Staffed with top pediatric specialists and nurses, the 270-bed Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago is Illinois' only freestanding hospital exclusively for kids.  The hospital offers the newest technologies, provides kid-focused experiences, and dedicates itself to the health and well-being of all children.  Children’s Memorial has some 1,100 pediatric professionals focusing on 70 specialties, and it routinely provides medical services to more young people than any other Chicago-area medical center.

Working together, the agents of RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest did their part to support these two children’s service organizations with toy donations.  “There are now about 150 agents at RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest, counting everyone in the combined offices,” says Chaires.  “It was their efforts that enabled us to collect as many toys as we did. Toy drop-off boxes were set up at each of our offices.  Agents did mailings to clients to let them know about the drive, and we held special events that included toy collections.”

For example, the Palatine office held its annual holiday celebration early in December for clients and their families.  Guests enjoyed refreshments and holiday conviviality, and the kids got to see Santa Claus.  Guests were also encouraged to contribute.

The hundreds of toys collected for Toys for Tots were sent to that organization for holiday-time distribution.  The hundreds for the kids at Children’s Memorial, however, provided some post-holiday cheer to children who find themselves in the hospital.  

“It was great to see kids’ faces light up when we came by with the toys,” says Lee Bialek.  “It can be a scary thing for a kid, being in a hospital. We were happy to help make their hospital stay a little bit better.”

Chaires says that this winter’s dual-focus toy drive was so successful that it will become a permanent feature of RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest’s community service.  “This isn’t the only way we support and give back to our community,” says Chaires.  “But when you know you’ve touched the life of one child, it’s one of the best ways to serve your community.”

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