John Schmitt and Karen Solomon, two of 17 directors on the Riverwalk Foundation, enjoy showing off downtown Naperville to friends, family and prospective homeowners.

They love to recall the reactions of clients who see the Riverwalk for the first time. Both Schmitt and Solomon also are local Realtors.

According to Schmitt, after determining that this community has good schools, the Riverwalk in Naperville's bustling downtown is often the other reason clients are attracted to move here.

Last year when Schmitt joined the board of the Riverwalk Foundation, the not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for enhancements, he helped develop a new concept called "Riverwalk Realtor."

The unique program gives residential Realtors who are members of the National Association of Realtors an opportunity to join for $300 annually and the donation benefits the Riverwalk.

Recently, Realtors were introduced to the program.

"...More than 20 Realtors have already committed to the program that brings Realtors together as a collective group to support the Riverwalk," said Solomon. Solomon explained that River-walk Realtors will be able to include this designation in marketing materials and have their names posted on the Naperville Riverwalk web site in the near future.

"Our goal is to have agents from every Naperville office involved in this unique program."

Twice a year, Riverwalk Realtors also will have a group photo taken for an advertisement that will appear in local papers. The first photo is scheduled to be taken on at 10:30AM, Thursday, May 16, at the Riverwalk Amphitheatre. The first group of Riverwalk Realtors are Scott Baker, Peggy Blankschein, Rich Brzezinski, Carolyn Duffy, Jack Ehlert, Sheila Freed, Lori Gaul, Mike
Herbert, LuAnne and Mark Hollingshead, Julie Kaczor, Jan Klein, Rebekah Kyle, Gail Niermeyer, Jeanne Rechenmacher, John Schmitt, Karen Solomon, Bill TeVogt, Lori Wander and Helen Wolfe.

Realtors can contact Schmitt at 355-1111 or Solomon at 428-5515 for more information.

Riverwalk for all seasons

The theme of the foundation is "Celebrate the Riverwalk for all seasons." Quarterly events welcome all friends of the Riverwalk to participate in various activities and fund-raisers. A new web site is now being developed.

Summer solstice event

The next event is June 21 to celebrate the summer solstice and kick off the Fredenhagen Park campaign. Watch for upcoming details about the evening event.

For more information or to be placed on the mailing list, leave a message at 369-2733.