Rolling Up Our Sleeves for Note in the Pocket: I Heart eXp Day 2026
Giving back is deeply woven into the fabric of Hillman Real Estate Group. This October, our team was proud to step away from our desks and head out into the community for our sixth straight “I Heart eXp Day.”
Across the country, eXp Realty agents dedicate this day to hands-on service in their local neighborhoods. Locally, our Raleigh team reunited with one of our absolute favorite community partners: Note in the Pocket, the beneficiaries of our annual Undies Drive.
A Cause Close to Our Hearts
Note in the Pocket provides clean, dignity-restoring clothing to impoverished and homeless schoolchildren and their families across Wake and Durham Counties. When kids have clothes that fit properly and feel good, they can focus on learning, growing, and thriving in the classroom rather than worrying about what they’re wearing.
Renée Hillman reflected on what this day means to her and the team:
“I always love galvanizing people for a good cause, and Note in the Pocket is a nonprofit that I have always championed. Their work in our school system is commendable, and the story of how it all started continues to inspire me. Why it has always pulled on my heartstrings is simple: it’s about a basic need that children have zero control over. I love that my eXp extended family consistently shows up to support I Heart eXp Community Day, and I hope we can keep this tradition going strong for years to come.” – Renée Hillman
What We Did: Sorting, Sizing, and Styling
Sorting clothes at Note in the Pocket’s volunteer center is fast-paced, energizing, and deeply rewarding. Our volunteers spent the day processing mountains of generous community donations—inspecting quality, sorting by size and season, and prepping items to be packaged into Mini Wardrobes.
Each custom wardrobe delivers a full school week (and more) of essentials directly to a student in need:
- 10 shirts & tops
- 5 pairs of pants or shorts
- 1 hoodie, jacket, or sweater
- 1 pair of sturdy sneakers/athletic shoes
- 5 pairs of brand-new underwear & socks
- Winter gear (coats, hats, gloves) as weather demands
Stepping into the warehouse and seeing the sheer scale of clothing moving through the center is an eye-opening reminder of how crucial steady volunteer hands are to keeping operations running smoothly.
How You Can Support Note in the Pocket
Whether you have a few bags of clothes to pass on or an afternoon to give, there are plenty of ways to help:
- Donate New or Gently Used Clothes: All sizes (infant through adult) are welcome. Simply place items in closed bags and drop them off at any designated Note in the Pocket collection site.
- Volunteer Your Time: Note in the Pocket offers volunteer shifts throughout the week. Individuals, families, and corporate groups are always needed to inspect, sort, and fold donations.
- Give Financially: Monetary gifts allow the team to purchase specific high-demand sizes, brand-new shoes, and fresh socks/underwear packs.
Thank you to everyone in our community and our eXp family who joined hands with us this year. We can’t wait to do it all again next fall!
About Note in the Pocket
Note in the Pocket provides clothing to impoverished and homeless schoolchildren in Wake and Durham Counties with dignity and love. They believe that no child should be limited in their educational and social development because they lack appropriate clothing. Hillman Real Estate Group at eXp Realty is proud to support its mission.