News from the Chicago Chapter

LYDIA Home Enhanced Following IREM Cares Day

IREM Chicago Members and Industry Partners Volunteer Services June 27

A volunteer team of IREM Chicago members and Industry Partners spent a day making LYDIA Home, a facility on Chicago’s northwest side for children in foster care, fresher and more inviting as part of the IREM Cares Day initiative.

More than 30 participated in the daylong event June 27, which had hot summer temperatures but was without any rainfall. A wide range of upgrades were completed, including landscaping, deep cleaning of the kitchen and painting of interior hallways.

This year marks the second consecutive year IREM Chicago focused the IREM Cares Day effort on LYDIA Home, which is the Chapter’s official charity for 2019.

Here’s a breakdown of work completed:

• Staff from Inside Out Painting Company repainted hallways within the building, giving these common areas a bright, fresh look. The team was led by Toni Ivanov, and paint was donated by Benjamin Moore.
• Prior to the IREM Cares Day event, Landscape Concepts Management excavated a grassy area in front of LYDIA Home to allow construction of an outdoor patio.
• Balanced Environments sent a crew and a large truck to complete heavy landscape work, including installing concrete planters and flowering plants.
• Workers from JC Restoration engaged in a top-to-bottom deep-cleaning of the facility’s kitchen and drywall patching work.
• Moore Landscapes donated plant material for around the outdoor patio and mulch for the entire property.

IREM Chicago leadership participated in the IREM Cares Day, and all volunteers were invited to an after party hosted at ERIS Brewing and Cider House, a nearby eating and drinking establishment.

Sincere thanks to all who worked hard to help improve LYDIA Home. Proceeds from the Silent Auction following the IREM Chicago Golf Outing August 5 will benefit LYDIA Home.