By day they are shrewd negotiators, facilitating transactions from a brokerage, financial, legal and/or construction perspective, among others. But on their own time, they are passionate about their family pets, and for the good of cats and dogs in general.
On Sept. 13, more than 120 golfers participated in Real Estate to the Rescue, a charity golf outing that organizers state, with great conviction, they are committed to making an annual outing.
The recipient of the generous outpouring of golfers and corporate sponsors is Save-A-Pet. One of the largest no kill shelters for dogs and cats in Lake County, Save-A-Pet boasts the top rating on Charity Navigator and has rescued over 60,000 animals since its inception in 1972.
More than 30 companies associated with the commercial real estate industry sponsored the golf outing, contributing approximately $40,000 in sponsorship fees and donations. All of the proceeds from the event will be given to Save-A-Pet.
“The event exceeded my expectations in terms of both the attendance and financial support as well as the outpouring of compassion for rescue and shelter pets,” said Alissa Adler, managing principal at Podolsky|Circle CORFAC International and the creator of the outing. “Sponsors were excited to share over 70 pictures of their rescue animals for our slideshow, simply amazing.”
Rebekah Carlson, director of marketing and business development at Next Realty, characterized the effort as “an amazing first event that will only grow. People in our industry are passionate about their pets, and they came out to support this great cause.”
The highlight of the event, for Adler, was bringing together a cross section of real estate and related professionals that serve office, industrial and retail markets.
“This was a one-of-a-kind event,” said Frank Biondo of the Illinois Real Estate Journal. “As an industry we support so many causes, but I don’t think we’ve come together for the benefit of an organization that helps pets.”
“We had everyone from investors and developers, to brokers, attorneys, bankers and contractors,” Adler said. “What made this event special for sponsors, in addition to supporting an organization that does such great work, was the amount of exposure they received before, during and after the event.”
Biondo too was impressed by the number of people who provided support personally, not just as a corporate entity.
Carlson specifically cited the Illinois Real Estate Journal for the coverage they have provided for the event, and the benefit that gave to sponsors.
In addition to Adler and Carlson, the organizing committee for Real Estate to the Rescue included Andrew Fredricks, Avison Young; Frank Biondo, Real Estate Publishing Group; Rene Ristau, Syndicated Equities; Nancy Roach, Strada Real Estate Services; Rick Rischall, First Midwest Bank; and David Diaz, Save-A-Pet.
Sponsors of the event include: Levenfeld Perstein, Podolsky|Circle, First Midwest Bank, Avison Young, Next Realty, Freedom Title, Buildout, Strada Real Estate Services, Inc., Premier Design Build Group, Beverly Snow and Ice, Inc., Wintrust, Georgia Nut Co., First Capital Advisors, Victor Construction, TRP Investments, Syndicated Equities, Satori Energy, Northern Trust, Lamplighter, Inc., Kroeschell, Dolan & Murphy, Inc., Clark Hill, Pioneer, Oasis Heating and Cooling, MB Bank, Injury Lawyers of Illinois, Alliance Moving & Storage, GreenTech Plumbing, Big Mouth Marketing and Paul Youkhana.
Save-A-Pet is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and one of the largest no-kill cat and dog rescues in Lake County that operates a full-time adoption center. The organization provides a safe haven for abused, neglected, injured, lost, or animals that have escaped euthanasia. It will never put a limit on the amount of care it provides for an animal and will never give up on them. Thus, Save-A-Pet offers rescued dogs and cats the greatest opportunity for a second chance. The organization takes pride in practicing a no-kill mission and in stewarding donors’ contributions.
Click here to view all photos from the event.
