Larry Booth, broker associate, Renee Naffziger, Fox Valley office managing broker and Stephanie Heinz, development director at Marklund

The Baird & Warner Fox Valley office hosted a bowling fundraiser for Marklund, a nonprofit organization. Baird & Warner raised $5,000 for the organization, which serves infants and children with developmental disabilities and special healthcare needs.

“It is so important to our office to support and give back to our local community,” said Renee Naffziger, managing broker of Baird & Warner Fox Valley office. “I couldn’t be more proud of our office.”

More than 100 people attended the event. Both bowlers and non-bowlers alike contributed to the overall donation. Different businesses, including Dave Ousley Home inspector, Baird & Warner Property Management, Town House Cafe & Books and Key Mortgage sponsored each bowling lane. Guests enjoyed bowling and a raffle along with drinks and food provided by local restaurants.

“This event was a unique opportunity to see what sort of an impact we can make on our community,” said Larry Smith, event chairperson and a broker associate with Baird & Warner Fox Valley. “Marklund has made a difference in so many lives, and I’m glad we could aid them in their cause.”

Stephanie Heinz, development director at Marklund accepted the donation from Baird & Warner Fox Valley on Wednesday, May 28. The nonprofit was started in in the 1950’s when Claire Haverkampf, R.N. provided foster care to a child named Mark William Lund who had Down syndrome and severe cardiac complications. She was inspired to help other children in need of special attention and care, so in 1957 ground was broken for the first skilled pediatric nursing facility in the state, located in Bloomingdale, Illinois. The organization has since expanded to Geneva, Illinois in addition to Bloomingdale and serves about 120 clients. The organization works with the goal to make each client feel like they are a part of the Marklund Family.