Since 2009, Century 21 REALTORS® have been selflessly donating to the Easter Seals’ Kids to Camp program, giving children living with disabilities the opportunity to live the summer-camp life.
Recently, REALTORS® with Century 21 In Town Realty had the opportunity to tour the Squamish Easter Seal Camp in British Columbia to see just how much of an impact their donations have.
Paul Schoefield, a camper of 19 years, led the tour and showed them the things kids are able to do, such as climb a rock wall, jump on a trampoline and challenge each other to games of basketball on the courts.
REALTOR® Courtney Lessard said he was really impressed with the wheelchair-accessible swimming pool.
“The way Paul described it is they could come here, use the swimming pool and not feel nervous with the people around them because no one is staring at them,” Lessard told Shaw TV.
“It’s pretty emotional just to see how much this camp means to the kids. We grew up very fortunate to play sports we wanted to, and to give these kids the opportunity to do that as well means a lot.”
Chiyoko Kakino, the vice-president of marketing for Century 21 Canada, had a fitting connection with the accessible treehouse.
“I might have a bias towards houses, being from Century 21, but I really like the treehouse,” she told Shaw TV. “You can go up a ramp and see everything.”
The tour ended on a more somber note as Schoefield led the group to a memorial garden in honour of those campers who have passed away.
“I tend to spend a lot of time here when I get free time,” Schoefield told the group.
Seeing all the camp has to offer – thanks in large part to the donations made by REALTORS® and other community groups – left a lasting impression on the group.
Since 2009, Century 21 members have raised $3 million to help the 16 summer camp locations across Canada.
