RE/MAX Brokerage’s ‘Rock Star’ Treatment of Kids Raises $75,000 for Local Children

There’s nothing glamorous about a hospital stay. Yet long before the current pandemic, many kids have endured medical treatment with a smile and strength of spirit that continues to inspire their families, community and hospital staff.

That, according to the team at RE/MAX Alliance based in Collinsville, Illinois, makes the children rock stars.

For the second year in a row, the real estate brokerage organized a red-carpet gala giving 12 children with illness or disabilities the celebrity treatment.

During the RE/MAX Alliance “Night of Rock Stars” in late October, each child was provided a full makeover – including hair, makeup and wardrobe – before departing in a limousine for the event. Waiting along the red carpet were their adoring fans – members of the community -asking for autographs.  

The kids were then invited on stage to rock out with local band Frankie Says Relax in either a solo performance or a serenade.

“It’s a life-changing, special evening for children with life-limiting illnesses,” says Tammy Owens, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Alliance. Tammy said she and her husband Rick, also a Broker/Owner, were inspired to organize the event after attending a celebration organized by Rhonda and Jerry Overberg of RE/MAX Best Choice in St. Louis.

“Wanting to do a similar event came from a love of children and wanting to give back to the community,” Tammy says. “I believe you have to give to receive.”

Rick Owens adds that when it comes to business, many companies wrongly take the approach of “What can you do for me?”

“You need to change that thinking to, ‘How can we best be seen in the community?'” he says.

Through tickets and auctions, Night of Rock Stars raised an incredible $75,000 that was split between Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals of Greater St. Louis and Shriners Hospitals for Children – St. Louis. Each year the Owens plan to continue to donate half of donations to CMN Hospitals and the other portion to a local childhood illness organization.

Sponsorships hit the right note for local businesses

The RE/MAX Night of Rock Stars creates an “everybody wins” opportunity for local businesses who provide sponsorships. In exchange for helping create a special night for kids, the businesses receive promotion on the Night of Rock Stars Facebook page and exposure while escorting the child to the stage for their performance.

Enthusiasm for the event in the community continues to grow, with attendance up from 400 to 600 guests for the 2019 evening.

Agents find helping kids the gig of a lifetime

Tammy and Rick are quick to acknowledge that the event wouldn’t be successful without the support and enthusiasm of their agents.

“We’re lucky to have a group of agents that are also committed and excited to give back,” Tammy says.

RE/MAX Alliance agents play an important role in all aspects of organizing the event, from reaching out to sponsors to assembling gift baskets. Some agents even serve as a “Rock Star Manager,” the main point of contact for a child’s family during the event to ensure everything goes smoothly.

“They spend hundreds of hours on this,” Rick says.

While the night is truly a team effort, one agent in particular, Mike Bellovich, is the key to the event’s success. That’s because Bellovich is the lead singer of Frankie Says Relax, the band that performs with each child.

“It’s a big-time commitment,” Rick says. “Each child gets to choose their own song, and the band takes the time to learn the music.”

The band also generously volunteers their time to play at a pig roast, one of the evening’s biggest auction items. 

“Once we understood the heart and spirit of the event, how could we not want to be involved?” Bellovich says. “Music heals and brings people together. To be asked to be in this event with these amazing kids and their families was an honor.”