Paying it forward is a way of life for Dan and Anne-Marie Grantham, REALTORS® with Sutton Group – Preferred Realty Inc. They donate thousands of dollars each year individually and Dan also developed a program with colleague Renald Guindon to donate a portion of each sales transaction to local charities; since 2004, that program has contributed more than $100,000. Dan and his wife Anne-Marie also volunteer their time to provide hope and opportunities for people locally and as far away as South America.
Dan had the inspiring experience of travelling to Bolivia in November 2012 to see homes under construction with the aid of Habitat for Humanity International and $90,000 contributed by the Forest City Community Church. To raise money for projects like this, the church hosts the annual Forest City Charity Golf Classic. Dan has served as their Golf Committee Chairperson for the past five years. He was pleased to volunteer more than 100 hours so far to help build homes for struggling Bolivians and raise awareness of the work done by Habitat for Humanity internationally and across Canada.
“Habitat’s motto of ‘Building to end poverty’ and ‘Housing for All: We believe that access to safe, decent and affordable housing is a basic human right that should be available to all’ really resonate with me particularly working in the real estate field,” says Dan.
Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) is another project that he supports. This organization assists youth with housing, education and employment and recently, YOU acquired a vacant building in downtown London. “We are transforming it into a facility with 28 affordable housing units, an alternative high school for about 30 young people, a café and a training facility where young people learn culinary skills for future employment in the hospitality industry,” says Dan. “I believe that by offering a hand-up, not a hand-out, we empower them to be successful.”
Pictured: REALTOR® Dan Grantham (2nd from the right) helping with housing project in Bolivia.
This story was adapted – with permission – from one originally featured on the Sutton Spirit website. The Sutton Spirit program recognizes Sutton associates across Canada that improve and enhance the lives of the people around them.
