Three Hours in a Meat Locker
Giving Back, REALTOR Community Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 7:16PM 
I recently volunteered with other C.A.R. staff, members and affiliates at the Greater Chicago Food Depository. While bagging pasta in a 40 F degree room, we had a blast singing “RESPECT” (trying our best to imitate Aretha Franklin—the voice of God). We also tried the theme song to “Laverne and Shirley” but only remembered the ‘schlamele, schlamazel, hossenffer’ part. (When you work on an assembly line, you think you have the creds to sing this stuff. But I digress.) Of course we also sang everyone's favorite campfire song: BOOM BOOM POW by the Black Eyed Peas (That chick is jackin my style... SING IT, DEENA!)
We volunteered for three hours (a long time when you're in a meat locker setting), but we had an amazing crew. Deena Zimmerman of Helios Realty and President-Elect of Women's Council of REALTORS® Chicago volunteered at Bark in the Park last month with other Chicago REALTORS®. Tammy Hajjar, an affiliate member and Secretary of the Women's Council, is in training for the Breast Cancer 3-Day.
I told them about the Illinois Association of REALTORS Corps, which for the past two years has been working on rebuilding the Gulf Coast. (By the way, the Illinois Association of REALTORS® has a REALTORS® Renewing America site where you can share how you have been giving back.) Thinking about IAR’s efforts, I wondered ‘How about a local REALTOR® Corps to work on projects in Chicago?’ We could partner with other organizations or support each other in charitable and volunteer efforts, and everybody can sign up until capacity is met. Additionally, this could be a network where other REALTORS looking for helping hands can post projects and see who's up for the challenge.
For instance, Chicago Cares puts together two service projects a year. Volunteers sign up, pay $25 for a delicious sandwich and transportation to the project—and then make an impact in a variety of ways. Our group could paint a school, clean up a park, tutor kids; there are endless possibilities. My co-volunteers thought it was a great idea, because sometimes people just don't know where to go or what to do. This would allow us to join forces to form a strong collective of REALTORS® making a positive impact in the places we live, work and play.
As a local association, we do well with advocacy on housing issues, working with the media to dispel myths about the market, and the political side (CARPAC and RPAC, which I will address at a later date). How about some human advocacy? As Thomas Paine said, "The world is my country, all it's citizens are my brethren and TO DO GOOD is my religion." Let's do some good--the strength of the individual to strengthen the collective known as the City of Chicago, Our City, Our Home.
What do you think? A do-gooder gone overboard, or a solid plan for us to come together, NOT talk business and instead be all about the business of goodwill? I want to know—so don't hold back; let me have it, or tell us where to start!
LOG ON and BLOG ON!
Deena Zimmerman in Hairnet
Tammy Hajjar bagging pasta
Lumi Ispas and Dona Crane
Jessica Kern pretty in blue
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Reader Comments (4)
I think it is great. You sacrificed your time , energy and resources to benefit others. What you and your group did was unselfish and positive, directly impacting your local area. With many realtors in financial trouble, some in foreclosure, others unable to make ends meet barely getting by. When you sacrifice a little of your time for the benefit of others It helps you realize how blessed we really are. To appreciate what we have and to always have a positve outlook and look forward to overcoming the challenges of life. By giving to others less fortunate than yourself you insulate your mind from your own challenges. Today you made a difference, so can the rest of the readers to this article, What you do or dont do matters. Dont sit on the sidelines watching life go by, get involved and make a difference. We get by giving.
Helping in the community is an essential part of being a Realtor. We are on the front lines of changes, growth and development throughout the city. As a result, we have a responsibility to help all of the members of a community - not just the ones who do business with us. This is one of the ideas that really drew me to my company because they have set up a charity within the organization. We do a lot of outreach and other volunteer initiatives in addition to raising lots of money. Can you believe that out charity raised more than NAR for people impacted by Hurricane Katrina?! This year every office is being encouraged to raise at least $3000 for the charity - that is over $2M by the end of the year!
What a fulfilling thing you all did! Service to others - nothing beats the feeling. I want to participate next time. I want to be in that game!
When you think of who we are as Realtors and the culture of our organization we have always been rooted in the community and servants to the greater good of the neighborhoods that make up our nation. Illinois Realtors have been a shining example and have taken leadership in the art of giving as well as been the architects of building strength in housing. I thank one of our first past Presidents that built Chicago Realtors awareness of giving by demonstrating commitment to the Chicago Food Depository. From Chicago to Springfield Illinois Realtors are there. What a proud moment when our own Partnership For Home Ownership brought the Hope Award home to Illinois, the power of IAR truly making a difference and building homeowners one at a time. Chicago Realtors bring a long tradition of giving and I thank our current leadership for continuing the Realtor tradition.
And to Mabel:
Schlemiel, schlimazel, hasenpfeffer incorporated!
We’re gonna do it!
Give us any chance, we’ll take it.
Give us any rule, we’ll break it.
We’re gonna make our dreams come true.
Doin’ it our way.
Thanks,
Alexander Chaparro
alex@alexchaparro.com
2006-07 CAR President