Remax hosting Balloon Event fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network

ALBANY — A real estate company is conducting a fundraiser next month as an attempt to get more involved in the community, and the intention is to make it an annual commitment.

The first Balloon Event fundraiser, hosted by Remax of Albany for the benefit of Children’s Miracle Network, is taking place on the evening of Oct. 12 at 2535 Lafayette Plaza Drive, the site of Remax’s office. The event is 5 p.m.-7 p.m.

Remax International has adopted CMN as its charity. Leigh Windham, who became the broker/owner of the Albany office in May, has worked with CMN since college. She recently reached out to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital CMN Coordinator Becca Miller, expressing an interest in doing more for the organization through a large community event.

“We want to be more involved in our community,” Windham said.

There is free admission, and the family-friendly fun will include a dunking booth, games, food and tethered hot air balloon rides. Cash donations will be accepted for all activities and food, all of which Remax officials said will benefit CMN.

There are 15 sponsors, including law firms and banks, on board who have put up donations toward the cause. Glenn Eames, owner of Smoke and Fire, is expected to have his food truck out and to donate half of his proceeds to CMN, Windham said.

“There are a lot jumping on our bandwagon in support of Children’s Miracle Network,” Karen Richter, sales associate for Remax, said.

Windham said real estate agents work in the community, so the idea of a community event of this nature makes sense. The Remax office has already begun raising money for CMN weeks ahead of the Balloon Event.

“We are selling (Miracle Balloons) for $1 at the office to whoever walks in,” she said. “We are hoping to have a lot of people come in (on Oct. 12) and make donations.

“Every one (of our sponsors) we have asked, they have said: ‘Absolutely, we will give you a check.’”

Each of the Remax employees has their own causes they contribute to, but this particular cause has helped to unite those working in that office.

“It is nice to come together as one as an office,” Richter said.

There has been $3,200 raised through Remax for CMN. The goal, Windham said, is to get to $5,000. Coordinators said, as the fundraiser gains momentum, the hope is that it can get bigger from one year to the next.

“If it ends up being huge, we may end up doing it in a different location,” Richter said.

For more information, call (229) 434-1600.