A PERPETUAL GIVER In addition to sharing his time and knowledge, Aaron has had a profound impact through charitable giving. In 2008, he and his father hosted a gala called “I Survived Real Estate” as a nod to the impact many in the industry experienced at the beginning of the Great Recession. The event has continued, bringing together thought leaders and raising more than $1 million for Make-A-Wish Orange County & the Inland Empire and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Despite Aaron’s passing, the event will continue this year, taking place Oct. 28 at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California. Aaron’s diagnosis of intimal sarcoma came in May 2021. Doctors found a tumor on his heart that turned out to be malignant. He continued thinking of others as he fought for his life, establishing the Aaron Norris Creative Fund through the Inland Empire Community Foundation. The fund will allow him to continue to make an impact on his community by supporting arts programs in the Inland Empire region of California. “He was just a pure angel on earth, such a good guy,” Fields Carter said. “He was always making sure everybody else was good, no matter how busy he was. He was very selfless, making sure he connected with everybody. And if you needed something, he would figure out a way to be helpful.” To honor Aaron’s legacy and achievements, Think Realty plans to name the Governmental Relations Committee after him and create the Aaron’s Impact Award. The award will be part of the annual Think Realty Honors Showcase. •
to find help for the man so he could safely stay in the home. Ultimately, the renter didn’t comply and had to be evicted, but Aaron did everything he could before exercising that option, Fields Carter said. “One of the things I admired most about him is that he always did what was right. That’s very hard to find,” she said. “His life was based on doing what’s right, no matter what. And I think that’s why he’s made such an impact on so many people.”
recounted two stories he shared with her about tenants in difficult situations. One tenant was a single mother who was facing eviction. Her hours had been cut at work, so she asked Aaron to reduce her rent for a quarter to give her time to catch up. He did, and she had no further problems making payments. Another renter was a hoarder whose living situation became untenable. Aaron paid for a dumpster and contacted mental health organizations to try
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