Aspire North REALTORS® Celebrates Day of Service with Community Appreciation Lunch

09.15.2026

By Heather Sauer

On Friday, September 11, 2026, Aspire North REALTORS® came together to honor and thank the service members who dedicate their lives to serving our community and our country.

As part of our Day of Service, Aspire North hosted a complimentary lunch for local service members from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Association. What made the event especially meaningful was seeing so many Aspire North members and volunteers take time out of their day to join us, connect with our guests, and personally express their gratitude for their service.

A Delicious Lunch & Meaningful Connections

Thanks to Up Town Catering, our guests enjoyed a classic summer lunch featuring hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, pasta salads, cookies, and more. The delicious meal provided the perfect setting for everyone to gather, enjoy good food, share conversations, and build connections.

While the food was certainly a highlight, the true focus of the event was people. It was wonderful to see members of Aspire North REALTORS® come together to network, visit with service members, and simply say thank you.

Sharing the Gratitude

At the conclusion of the event, we were fortunate to have some meals remaining. Rather than letting that food go to waste, Aspire North REALTORS® President Doug Swartz took the opportunity to extend our appreciation even further.

Doug delivered the remaining meals to the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department, where he was greeted by Captain Drewery. Captain Drewery was extremely appreciative of the food and the gesture and shared that he is looking forward to attending one of Aspire North’s future events.

It was a wonderful reminder that a small act of kindness can extend beyond a single event and make an impact throughout our community.

Thank You for Making the Day Special

Aspire North REALTORS® would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the service members who joined us, our members and volunteers who helped make the event special, and Up Town Catering for providing such a wonderful meal.

We are proud to be part of a community where people show up for one another, make meaningful connections, and look for opportunities to serve.

Thank you to all who serve, and to everyone who took the time to say thank you. We look forward to continuing to create opportunities for Aspire North REALTORS® to give back to the communities we are proud to call home.

Heather Sauer

Heather Sauer is the Human Resource Manager for Aspire North Realtors, bringing a strong background in human resources, leadership, and business strategy. She began her career in retail management while earning her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Northwood University, later transitioning into human resources at Target, where she served as an Executive Team Leader of Human Resources. During this time, she earned her MBA from the Northwood University DeVos Graduate School.

After relocating to Traverse City, Michigan, Heather continued her HR career with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), managing more than 30 client accounts and partnering closely with leadership teams on employee relations, compliance, and organizational development. In the fall of 2023, she expanded her professional experience into business development and entrepreneurship.

In addition to her role at Aspire North Realtors, Heather is also an independent travel agent, helping individuals, families, and groups plan seamless, memorable travel experiences. Her passion for service, organization, and relationship-building carries through both her HR and travel work.