750 Fully-Loaded Backpacks Head Back to School Courtesy of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty GroupCHICAGO, IL – Every student at Seward Communication Arts Academy, a CPS school in the Back of the Yards neighborhood and 150 students through Refugee One, an organization that creates opportunity for refugees fleeing war, terror and persecution received a fully stocked backpack courtesy of Chicago real estate brokerage Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group. At Seward, the backpacks were given to the each of the 600 students at a special assembly held in their school auditorium on September 3rd, the first day of school. Children were called to the stage by class with the younger students going first. As children proceeded across the stage, KoenigRubloff brokers helped the students choose a backpack for the year ahead. For Refugee One, the backpacks were provided to the organization office which distributed the backpacks as needed.Each of the 600 students at Seward Communication Arts Academy and 150 students through Refugee One received fully stocked backpacks on their first day of school, courtesy of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group.

The Backpack Project, as it’s affectionately referred to, takes place over the course of two months. The annual activity began with Anne Rodia, a real estate broker with KoenigRubloff’s Michigan Avenue office and some of her friends 16 years ago. At that time, each friend filled about five backpacks and dropped them off at a school. Now, Anne spearheads the effort with significant help from fellow agent Rachel Kane, her Michigan Avenue colleagues, staff, family and friends in the brokerage community. People contribute funds towards the backpacks and their contents or volunteer their time to shop and compile all of the necessary goods. The backpacks are filled with notebooks, pens, pencils, colored pencils, highlighters and more. The teachers weren’t overlooked! They received bags that included essentials like Clorox wipes, first aid kits and hand sanitizer. The art teacher received construction paper, paint, markers, doodle pads and more. While the dance instructor received dance shoes.

Rodia said, “I am so pleased and proud of how the Backpack Project turned out this year! I want to thank everyone for the phenomenal effort they put forth preparing for this day - the day when we give the kids their own backpacks and wish them a great school year. Principal Cadenas, the teachers and the administration and the folks at Refugee One were instrumental in making sure we were giving the kids the right tools and equipment for the school year. I’m so grateful for everyone’s participation and commitment. Thank you!”

About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group’s Michigan Avenue office is located at 980 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 700 in Chicago. KoenigRubloff is a full-service real estate firm with nearly 1,500 real estate professionals and staff in 24 offices serving customers throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, the North Shore, Western Suburban communities and Harbor Country, Michigan. Deep local roots are complemented by the extensive global reach of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, the top real estate brand in the nation. Affiliated and ancillary services in the form of Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC, Fort Dearborn Title, and HomeServices Insurance complete the comprehensive services offered to clients. Visit KoenigRubloff.com.