Suzanne Treudt of Realty Executives Scores NAR-Mainstreet Grant

If you believe that all kids need to play, then you can get behind the mission of the Sensory Garden Playground in Lisle, Illinois. That is exactly what Suzanne Treudt of Realty Executives Premiere has done. Treudt won a $10,000 grant from the National Association of REALTORS® in cooperation with the Mainstreet Organization of Realtors® (MORe). She’ll be working to make sure that local kids, including those who can benefit the most from play but have often been excluded from the opportunity – will have increasing freedom to do so. 

 Treudt’s grant work with NAR and MORe will benefit the Play For All Garden and Playground Foundation, which was established to create accessible play for all DuPage County children, including those with disabilities and Autism. According to the foundation’s website, more than 2,500 families in DuPage County have a child with Autism, whether it is a mild or profound diagnosis on the spectrum.

The foundation is committed to further developing the Sensory Garden Playground– a free of charge facility that combines gardens and playgrounds with other amenities to create a safe and accessible environment, where, according to the foundation, “abilities can be developed and an appreciation for each other’s differences are embraced for all children.”

The grant will be used to add a slide to a wheelchair accessible treehouse. Construction of the slide is slated to begin in August. Once completed the slide will be available for all children to enjoy, regardless of ability.

The NAR - Mainstreet Community Outreach Grant was designed to enhance and improve spaces in local communities. MORe joined up with NAR to provide grants to Mainstreet members for placemaking, smart growth, housing opportunity, and diversity projects. Local Realtors® were challenged to come up with a great idea to improve the areas they serve based on specific, community-inclusive criteria. The winners work with community members, the team at MORe, and elected officials to see the project through to completion. 

Treudt ran after the “placemaking” grant opportunities with passion and commitment, in the same vein as she has served her community for more than three decades as a real estate professional. Contributing to her neighbors has been a long-term undertaking for Treudt, as she has also worked as a volunteer “Puppy Raiser” for Canine Companions for Independence for twenty-two years. Her connection with one incredible cause led her to a connection with the other.

“We raise highly-trained service dogs that help with a range of challenges other than blindness. A friend of mine with CCI introduced me to the Sensory Garden Playground and I was struck by the cause. So many local families who have benefited from CCI can further enhance their lives by enjoying all that the Playground has to offer. I was thrilled to be a part of the effort,” says Suzanne Treudt. 

According to the team at MORe, “REALTORS® and placemaking are a perfect combination. Realtors are the experts when it comes to what buyers are looking for in a strong community. They are in the field and are aware of initiatives that make a neighborhood and community a great place to live, work, and play. Additionally, a Mainstreet REALTOR® has the backing and strength of one of the largest associations in the country. REALTORS® and placemaking are elevating the lives and experiences of the many.”

Read more about the key benefits and features of the Sensory Garden Playground here. You may also make donations to the cause online. To reach Suzanne Treudt, visit her website.