Even a cold and blustery day couldn’t stand in the way of Mainstreet member Luis Fuentes’ determination to fulfill a dream for his Mundelein community. Fuentes, of RE/MAX Showcase in Long Grove, asked agents from his office to join him on November 18th, 2021 for a REALTOR® Day and dedication ceremony, marking the (almost) end of a project started a few years ago. A butterfly garden was planted by REALTORS® which will be full of color and attract butterflies next summer. “At the beginning…because of the weather, I thought we’d have some difficulty getting agents to come out, but we had a great turnout and everyone did such a great job,” commented Luis. “It was a great day!” Mainstreet CEO John Gormley was also on hand to share a few words on Luis’ good works and presented the grant mega check to Luis, Rev. Miguel Martinez and other community members. Many area officials, Mainstreet leadership, and parish leaders and seminarians were present for the dedication.
This project, partially funded by the NAR-Mainstreet Community Outreach grant program, began back in 2017 with a 5k in order to raise money to provide a place for neighborhood residents and their children to meet, play, and exercise. Funding from the Mainstreet grant program, totaling $39,000, allowed for a walking/jogging path, benches (which will be available and installed in the spring) and a garden to be added to a recently completed youth soccer pitch which lies in the heart of Mundelein on the grounds of Santa Maria del Popolo parish.
This project was a labor of love that Luis, fellow resident Alejandro Carbajul, and the church community of Santa Maria del Popolo envisioned and worked to make into a reality despite a pandemic and supply chain shortages. Luis is especially happy that local youth will have a place to meet and engage in formal and informal soccer games while other residents can enjoy exercising safely on the path that outlines the two acre lot.
A special word of thanks is extended to Piero Orsi, Managing Broker of RE/MAX Showcase, for bringing the project to the attention of Mainstreet staff.
The rest as they say, is history. Congratulations, Luis! Your passion for your community is to be commended!