Finding a way to balance work, family and helping out in the community can be a difficult and challenging undertaking. Some choose to fund-raise, while others are active community volunteers. For 13 REALTORS® in the Toronto area, however, their message is undoubtedly about giving back to those around them.
On June 15, at the Riviera Parque banquet facility the Toronto Real Estate Board handed out their 2007 Civic Service Awards and recognized members who make a difference in their communities through various volunteering efforts.
Rubi Talavera of Re/Max West in Thornhill has contributed to many local initiatives, as well a charitable work in her native Philippines.
Shelly Porritt of H.G. Porritt Real Estate in Toronto founded and organizes an initiative that provides abused women in shelters with donated cosmetic products during the holiday season.
Catherine Kozma of Re/Max West, Toronto, has worked with the St. Alban’s Boys and Girls Club, and has been involved with nonprofit organizations to address drug use within the City of Toronto.
For the past 30 years, John Zimnoch of Re/Max Hallmark in Toronto has contributed to charitable organizations with a focus on supporting the Children’s Miracle Network.
Pearl Godfrey and Karen Rosenberg of Harvel Kalles Real Estate have worked with many not-for-profit organizations in finding or developing new homes for approximately 300 people.
The United Way, the Credit Valley Hospital and the Sikh community have all profited from the tremendous volunteer work of Param Sidhu of Trimax Realty in Mississauga.
Helping inmates of the Toronto East Detention Centre learn more effective ways of coping with life while imprisoned, as well as upon their release, is a cause Brent Haldane of Caldwell Bankers Case Realty in Toronto has long been involved with.
Masood Khan of HomeLife Elite Services Realty in Toronto has donated his time and efforts to a variety of causes including; The Block Parents Association, YMCA, hospital cancer centres and St. John’s Ambulance.
Working hard on behalf of the Sri Lankan-Canadian community is the reason why two Toronto area REALTORS® were recently honored.
Vijitha Bulathsinghala of Re/Max Leaders in Mississauga helps new immigrants adjust, find jobs, access training and deal with the social and economic hardships of beginning life in a new country.
Vijit Witane of Re/Max Crossroads in Toronto has lent his support to the Sri-Lankan-Canadian community by giving a voice and opportunities to people working hard to adjust to a new country.
The most underprivileged students at several Toronto pubic schools owe a debt of gratitude to Carolyn Griffin of Re/Max Hallmark in Toronto for helping to transform the breakfast and snack programs that were in much need of assistance.
Organizations including The Rotary Club, India Rainbow Community Services and the Hospice of Peel have all benefited from the hard work and support of Esa Esananda of HomeLife Superstars.
Volunteering their time for these many worthy causes is what led the Toronto Real Estate Board to honor these REALTORS®. The hard work and dedication they have shown to these groups, clubs, hospitals and various associations is an example of how REALTORS® are giving back to the communities they work in and a further illustration of just how REALTORS Care®.
