Mainstreet Recognizes Winners of Good Neighbor Award
Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® today announced three winners of this year's Good Neighbor Award. This award recognizes Mainstreet REALTORS® who have made extraordinary commitments to improving their communities through volunteer work. The winners were chosen from a pool of nominees who had all contributed significant personal time to programs that improve livability in local communities.
Mainstreet would like to acknowledge the three winners:
The third place winner is Norm Gann of Charles Rutenberg Realty. Gann serves as president of Lake County Responds, a nonprofit providing home repairs to low- and moderate-income veterans to improve their health, safety and quality of life. Gann has worked with other board and committee members on a number of projects to assist veterans, including installing wheelchair ramp rails, addressing plumbing issues and, in Lake County Responds' biggest project to date, conducting an almost-full rehab of a veteran's home last year.
The second place winner is Kristi Gorski of DPG Real Estate. Gorski works with Bridge Communities who transition homeless families to self-sufficiency by working with partners to provide mentoring, housing, and supportive services to families in DuPage County. As a committee member for Bridge Communities, she has volunteered countless hours over the past three years and has recently served on a committee for one of the organization's larger fundraisers: Wine, Women, and Shoes. This charity luncheon included a marketplace, fashion show, entertainment, and live and silent auctions to support Bridge Communities' mission.
The first place winner is Robert Petranek of Coldwell Banker. Petranek volunteers for Friends for Downers Grove Township Seniors (FFDGTS). This organization provides funding and support for Downers Grove Township Senior Programs and Activities. He has spent many hours volunteering, including through educational presentations on senior scams, senior housing, and representing FFDGTS at senior expos. He has also assumed leadership positions at the organization, previously serving as secretary and currently as the chairman of FFDGTS.
"These three individuals embody what Mainstreet represents: acts of service for others and lending a helping hand," Mainstreet Immediate Past President Linda Dressler said. "We're so proud of all of the Mainstreet REALTORS® who commit their time and resources to building stronger communities."
Each winner will receive a contribution - in their name - to a charity or organization of their choosing.
"I continue to be blown away by our Mainstreet REALTORS® for their commitment to philanthropy and passion to make the world around them better," Mainstreet CEO John Gormley said.