Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS®, the Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® Young Professionals Network (YPN) committee, and South Suburban PADS come together in harmonious holiday spirit for the 9th Annual Ugly Sweater Party!
Mainstreet rolled out the red-carpet with Morgan Taylor, the Social Media Specialist at Mainstreet as she interviewed attendees on Facebook live with YPN member A.J. Guzman. Together they highlighted holiday attires and found out why this fundraiser stands out as THE marquee ticket each December.
The YPN Committee is a Mainstreet volunteer group comprised of REALTORS® and affiliate partners coordinating and connecting with professionals of all ages, developing relationships with current and future community leaders. The red-carpet interview features a trio of those leaders. First to be interviewed is current YPN Chair Emily Kaczmarek accompanied by Kristi Gorski YPN Vice Chair.
Emily took to the red-carpet decked out in her holiday best, brandishing a dazzling ugly sweater with pizazz. She went on to say, “We [YPN Committee] like to give back. We give back to our REALTORS® at Mainstreet, the community, and our philanthropic partners.”
As the Cupid Shuffle hummed along like an interview soundtrack, Emily passes the mic to Elizabeth Agbarah, Philanthropy Manager at South Suburban PADS. As a non-profit organization, SSPADS is dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness by empowering homeless individuals to source affordable housing and emergency provisions.
Liz, as she was introduced on the red-carpet is also rocking her best holiday threads, paying specific homage to the North Pole. She went on to discuss SSPADS, “We provide emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Every night we host anywhere from 150 to 170 people, unfortunately including up to 70 children. So, everything Mainstreet pulled together tonight, everything they are doing is truly impactful and amazing. We appreciate it so much!”
Speaking of the fundraiser, specialty holiday themed events were hosted throughout the evening to raise money and awareness for this urgent call to action at SSPADS. Games and sponsorship opportunities such as the “Don’t Shoot Your Eye Out” and “Frosty’s Festive Beverage Pull” were both featured at the event. All prizes awarded on site, including the award winner for Ugliest Sweater of 2022 Lori Spruiell of Lori Spruiell, Baird, & Warner.
Ultimately, this event was about raising money for SSPADS, to improve living conditions for those in need of a warm place to sleep each night. As a bottom line, Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® was able to collect and write a check for just over $4,000 to be donated to SSPADS.
As part of their ticket purchase guests were afforded holiday drink tickets, catering, and of course party favors. Sounds like this was one for the books. Imagine what will happen next year for the 10th Anniversary Ugly Sweater Party.
Want to see what other events and courses Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® has planned in the coming months? Our event calendar is available to members and non-members alike.