The REALTOR® Family Fund unofficially began in 1998 when a fellow REALTOR® was stricken with terminal cancer. Unable to work and with medical bills piling up, the REALTOR® community joined together to offer help and support. When it seemed that there was so little that could be done, the idea came to provide her a “last wish” vacation with her family. In a small way, this opportunity gave emotional relief to both the family and to the REALTOR® community. It was soon apparent that this was not an isolated instance when two more women were diagnosed within weeks of the first, also with terminal cancer and needing support and financial help - agin, the Cheyenne REALTORS® came to their aid. The Board of Directors and other interested members responded to this concern and the swell of good will and charity by authorizing a committee to assess the possibility of establishing a fund for such situations. We then became aware that from time to time, many of our REALTOR® friends experienced a vairety of medical emergencies, tragedies, and financial crises. Chartered in 1999 as a Charitable Foundation, the REALTOR® Family Fund found it’s beginning and has since contributed to families, groups and individuals within our community who have experienced special needs. While the REALTOR® Family Fund was originally dedicated to members of the RELATOR® family -- by accepting the Federal Tax Exempt status, the organization achieved the IRS 501(c)(3). Policy was then revised to include other Laramie County tax exempt entities. This change provides a broader avenue of support to those truly in need in the Cheyenne Community as well as offering tax incentives to contributors.