For the past two years, the BC Northern Real Estate Board has raised money for a charity that covers all of northern BC and whose cause contributes to the quality of life in our communities.
This year BCNREB raised $7,144 in support of the Drug Awareness program (DARE). Under the program, RCMP officers go into schools in northern BC to make children from kindergarten through grade 12 aware of the perils of getting involved with drugs. The program, which is presented in more than 100 communities in the province, also provides information to youth on how to resist peer pressure and live productive, violence-free lives.
At the Board’s Annual Meeting/Conference, the tradeshow participants were asked to donate a door prize, which then went into a silent auction or a live auction. Member offices also contributed to the initiative, and participated in a 50/50 draw.
In addition, Executive Officer Dorothy Friesen launched a “dine with Dorothy” donation. “I will go to a member’s house and make dinner. This year I went to Fort Nelson (about 900 km from Prince George) and barbequed steak for the Re/Max office,” said Friesen.
In 2005, BCNREB raised $16,000 for the Northern Medical Program Trust. One member of the Board matched that donation, creating a $32,000 a donation. The income generated from the trust will go to the medical students enrolled at the University of Northern BC (UNBC). Unlike other medical schools, the students will have to travel to remote locations to do their onsite training, and will incur expenses that students in the major centres will not.
“Everyone seems to have fun raising the money, and our communities benefit. Perfect combination,” added Friesen.
