REALTORS® in Southwestern Ontario shook off their nerves and took to the stage to support members of their community facing challenges, including homelessness and substance use.
On March 19, 2024, the Chatham-Kent Association of REALTORS® (CKAR) hosted their second annual REALTORS® Rock charity concert. Through this event, REALTORS® have raised $6,700 to date in support of local non-profit R.O.C.K. (Reach Out Chatham-Kent) Missions, which provides a range of services for community members struggling with homelessness, substance use and mental health.
“We wanted to give back to our community and make a non-profit like R.O.C.K. even stronger,” says Carrie Patrick, CKAR President and Salesperson for Realty House Inc. Brokerage in Chatham.
This year’s event drew many local REALTORS® who were eager to get up on stage and show their musical prowess, all for the benefit of R.O.C.K. Missions and the clients they serve.
“We have noticed that the population of homeless people has grown so the need for organizations such as R.O.C.K. is even greater than before,” says Patrick.
Led by the local Courtney Wells Band onstage (Wells is a REALTOR®), REALTORS® had the opportunity to either perform with their instrument of choice or belt out their favourite song during the karaoke session, all while raising nearly $3,000 and awareness for a very deserving non-profit in their community.
Carrie Patrick and her Board of Directors got the idea for the fundraiser after attending a leadership session a few years ago, where they saw a similar set-up that invited people up on stage to jam with the band.
The idea fit perfectly with CKAR’s goals of supporting the local non-profit sector in the community while giving all REALTORS® an opportunity to get in on the action.
“Our dream for this function was to raise money for a good cause while getting our membership together for a good time,” says Patrick. “We thought this is a way for them all to take off their business hats and forget about competition and just have fun.”
Patrick and the CKAR Board of Directors are determined to continue REALTORS® Rock as an annual event.
“We are a small board, but we try and do big things that will benefit everyone in the community,” says Patrick.
