Natalie King (pictured right), a REALTOR® with Sutton Group – West Coast Realty, has always been an animal lover, so when a friend asked her if she wanted to do something to support a local charity’s rehabilitation of non-competitive and injured Thoroughbred horses, she jumped at the chance. She became part of the five-member board committee for the Winners Circle Day at the Races Charity Event, in support of New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society.
Before making the commitment, she did some research into New Stride to make sure it was a good fit for her… and it was. “I just loved the care and the details that they put into healing these beautiful horses that have been injured and finding them homes,” she says.
Leading up to the event, Natalie was responsible for securing corporate sponsorships, selling tickets, and getting donations for the event’s silent auction. “I took all of my skills that I learned as a REALTOR®, including cold calling and getting yourself out there, and I applied it to my charity work,” she explains.
On Sunday, July 15, 2012, the Winners Circle Day at the Races event was held in the marquee tent at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver. There were close to 300 people in attendance, all decked out in derby attire. Yaletown’s Fine Finds Boutique was on-site at the event, selling fascinators and hats for the occasion. There was live Thoroughbred action, a wiener dog race, musical entertainment, a silent auction, a buffet, and cocktails.
Not only did Natalie and her fellow organizers raise an impressive amount of money – close to $20,000 – for a great cause, they had a lot of fun in the process. “I feel that I got so much more out of the experience than I gave,” she says. “I would do it all over again. It was the highlight of my year.”
For other REALTORS® interested in organizing a charity event, Natalie offers the following advice: “Focus on doing something that speaks to you and that you really love, because charity work is a lot of work. It’s a lot of your time and energy and you have to feel very passionate about the cause.”
