One Cause, Many Paths: How REMAX Affiliates Support Children’s Hospitals

Every August, REMAX affiliates across the U.S. and Canada come together to celebrate Month of Miracles, a month-long effort to raise awareness and support for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), a non-profit that raises funds and awareness for children’s hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to support children and their families in the community where the funds were raised

The partnership between REMAX and CMN spans decades. Since 1992, REMAX affiliates have proudly helped fund the care and treatment of millions of children in the U.S. and Canada, contributing more than $218 million to the cause.

While the mission is shared, the ways to give back are unique.

Some affiliates donate from every transaction. Others rally their teams around a common cause.  Some offices have built giving back into their culture and daily operations.

What unites them is a commitment to helping children and families in their local communities.

One Agent’s Dedication

For Anna Gilsinger of REMAX Results in Warsaw, Indiana, supporting CMN has become a natural part of her real estate business.

As the No. 1 CMN-contributing agent in the U.S., Gilsinger participates in the Miracle Home Program, making a donation to CMN on behalf of her clients after every closing. Over the course of her career, she has donated nearly $600,000 and is working toward a goal of $1 million.

Her involvement began after hearing another agent share a personal story about a child who received care through a CMN hospital.

“It changed my life,” Gilsinger says.

Despite the substantial impact of her contributions, Gilsinger doesn’t view her support as a marketing strategy. Instead, she sees it as part of her personal journey.

“My clients give me the opportunity to make donations,” she says. “They don’t seek me out because I am giving their money to charity. They want to know I’ll do an exemplary job at selling their home – and I do. But behind closed doors it matters to me, so I keep on keeping on.”

One of the most rewarding parts of participating, she said, has been seeing other REMAX affiliates embrace the mission.

“Last spring, I watched as numerous agents from my REMAX office accepted state-level awards for their own contributions,” she says. “It has become a large ripple effect.”

Her advice to other agents is simple: Find a cause that resonates personally and start.

“We are called to give. Make steps toward the charity that fills your soul up.”

A Team United by Purpose

At the Pilon Group of REMAX Hallmark in Ottawa, Ontario, supporting CMN is a commitment shared across the entire team. The group is the No. 1 contributing REMAX team in Ottawa and participates in the Miracle Home Program by making a donation from every transaction.

The team has also found ways to make fundraising and awareness part of its culture.

Each year, team members tour the CHEO Dream of a Lifetime Lottery House, a luxury prize home featured in an annual lottery benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). The event serves as an opportunity to support the cause while bringing the team together around a shared mission.

“Supporting CMN gives our team a shared purpose that extends beyond real estate,” Pilon says. “Clients appreciate knowing their transaction is helping support local children and families, creating a meaningful connection between everyday business and community impact.”

For teams considering getting involved, Pilon encourages starting small.

“You do not need to begin with a major event or large fundraising campaign,” he says. “Individual donations may seem small, but together they create a significant impact.”

Building Giving into Office Culture

At REMAX Advantage in Nashville, Tennessee, Broker/Owners Gary Ashton and Debra Beagle have created a culture where giving back is part of everyday business. Through their long-standing support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, the brokerage has grown into the No. 1 CMN-contributing single franchise in the United States and earned designation as a Miracle Office, in which every agent in the office collectively contributes.

That commitment is evident throughout the organization, says Ginger Dacus, vice president of operations.

“What began as a way to give back has become part of our culture.”

She says CMN Honor Cards are incorporated into listing presentations, and their accounting team makes participation easy to donate directly from closing proceeds. But beyond the marketing and ease of the program, Dacus says the most meaningful aspect by far is meeting Miracle Families and seeing the local impact firsthand.

“Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible individuals and building meaningful relationships through CMN,” says Dacus. “These connections remind us exactly who we are supporting. Seeing firsthand how donations change lives reinforces that every closing and every dollar truly makes a difference, and that together, we are having a huge impact in our community.”

Meeting Miracle Families and hearing their stories has reinforced the importance of the office’s continued support.

“Every effort matters. The impact adds up quickly, and you’ll be surprised how eager agents and clients are to get involved when they understand the mission,” Dacus says.

Different Approaches, Shared Impact

Whether it’s one agent donating from every commission, a team raising awareness through social campaigns, or an office making personal connections with affected families, these REMAX affiliates demonstrate that there are many ways to support Children’s Miracle Network.

As Month of Miracles gets underway, their stories offer a reminder that participation doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. The most important step is simply getting started.

One cause. Many paths. A shared commitment to creating more miracles for children and families.