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 Missouri REALTORS^® are not only real estate professionals - we're so much more. We're active in the community - serving on school boards, in elected positions and volunteering our time to make communities where we work a better place to be. We're educators – serving on panels and facilitating industry discussions. Our new series, Member Spotlight, will allow us to introduce you to the many personalities that make up Missouri REALTORS^®.

This month, we are shining the Member Spotlight on Ellen O'Brien.

While serving as president of St. Louis Association of REALTORS^®, Ellen O'Brien, REALTOR^® at Coldwell Banker Gundaker in Kirkwood, Mo., recognized the growing homeless population in St. Louis. O'Brien knew she had to help and wanted to raise awareness of this pressing issue. In 1989, she organized a board and immediately began fundraising. Through her efforts, the REALTORS^® Housing Association Fund (RHAF) was created. The nonprofit organization raises money and gives to local charities within the St. Louis area dedicated to helping the homeless and those in need. 

In 2015, O'Brien served hundreds of people, and recruited approximately 100 volunteer hours. While she assists in a variety of ways, her fundraising efforts are especially notable. O'Brien organizes and plans fundraising events, such as trivia nights. The organization is primarily funded by these events, along with corporate donations. In addition to RHAF, O'Brien volunteers with Rural Parish Workers, and was recently appointed as commissioner for St. Louis County to help the homeless and veterans by Mr. Dooley, the St. Louis County executive. Her unwavering commitment to these organizations exemplifies her dedication to the less fortunate in her community.

REALTORS^® Housing Association Fund, a 501 (3)(C) non-profit association, is dedicated to helping the homeless population within the St. Louis area. The money raised by the organization is donated to a variety of local charities helping these people, including Almost Home, Beyond Housing and St. Patrick Center. To date, the fund has raised more than $750,000.

O'Brien was a 2015 Missouri REALTOR^® Good Neighbor Award nominee.    

If you’re in the spotlight in your community or know someone who is - let us know, we’d love to shine our Missouri REALTORS^® Spotlight on you!