April 28th - 2017

Foundation gives over $1 million to charity

A new milestone has been reached, with more than $1 million given to charity by the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation last year.

realtors care foundation

A new milestone has been reached, with more than $1 million given to charity by the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation last year.

realtors care foundationFor the first time, the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation has given out more than $1 million to charity.

The foundation plays a key role in supporting shelters and shelter-based charities across the province. Charitable donations exceeded the $1 million mark in 2016, recent reports show, marking a new milestone that exceeded the previous year’s total of $926,000.

“Providing homes for people is at the heart of our work as Realtors, so this milestone is truly something to celebrate,” said Ettore Cardarelli, president of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA). “The money raised through the foundation goes to support shelters for the homeless and for needy families through charities such as Habitat for Humanity. It shows that Realtors truly care about the communities in which we live and work.”


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The real estate community across Ontario is active in various fundraising initiatives in support of more than 225 shelter-based organizations. Each year, families and individuals in need of emergency shelter or permanent housing in Ontario receive financial help and support thanks to the fundraising efforts of the foundation and REALTORS® -- from Windsor to Cornwall to Thunder Bay, and towns in between.

"The money raised through the foundation goes to support shelters for the homeless and for needy families."

The foundation’s efforts focus on charities devoted to shelter -- a natural fit since Realtors are in the business of helping people find homes. Some of the foundation’s recipient charities are: Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations across Ontario, Collingwood Crisis Centre, YWCA Sudbury, Covenant House Toronto, Couchiching Jubilee House, Domestic Abuse Services Oxford, Community Living Mississauga, the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa and the Regional Hospice of Quinte. These are just a few of the charities across Ontario that benefit from the efforts of Realtors.

A shelter is defined as a refuge, haven or protection that provides or improves quality of life from hunger, the elements, physical/psychological abuse, disabilities or illness.

Most recently, an OREA YPN fundraiser held on February 27 raised approximately $2,600 for the foundation through a silent auction and 50-50 draw. The evening of music and entertainment, “Hollywood Glam Night,” drew more than 100 people. It was held at the Toronto Board of Trade during the OREA annual conference that took place from February 27 to March 2.

The Every REALTOR® campaign, in which participating real estate boards collect $1 a month per member, raised $822,000 across Ontario last year for shelters and charities.

Moreover, Jam with a Past President, a musical event led by former OREA president Brian Walker, raised $7,600 at the OREA political affairs conference this past fall.

Also in 2016, the annual Motorcycle Ride for Charity raised $20,000. Riders travelled from Newmarket to North Bay with stops along the way at Barrie, Muskoka, Haliburton and Orillia.

At the annual general meeting of the Ontario REALTORS® Care Foundation on March 1, a new board of directors was installed for 2017. Watch for more details about Foundation Fellows in an upcoming issue.

For more details about the foundation, visit www.realtorscareontario.ca.


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