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 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.

“Lisa Savage had been organizing the Tri-County collection for Children’s Memorial for a number of years. When Tri-County joined Unlimited Northwest she asked if she could continue it,” says Mike Chaires, broker/owner of RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest. “I didn’t see any reason why we couldn’t do both, so we did. Both drives were tremendous successes.”

“It was great to see kids’ faces light up when we came by with the toys,” says 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.”