Friday, February 22 was a night of celebration for the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) as it presented its prestigious REALTORS Care® and REALTOR® of the Year Awards. Sponsored by long-time supporter Coast Capital Savings, the gala event took place at Nanaimo’s Coast Bastion Inn and was the evening follow up to the VIREB Annual General Meeting (AGM) that took place at the same location earlier in the day. Coast Capital’s Ken Villines presented the 2012 REALTORS Care® Award to five local REALTORS® – Erika-Leigh Haley, Bernie Poole, Debbie Meiner, Matt Breedlove, and Dave Koszegi – and the REALTOR® of the Year Award to Judy Gray.
The REALTORS Care® award, which has been presented annually since 2007, recognizes individual REALTORS® for their outstanding community service and professional leadership. This year’s program received nominations from the general public, not solely from VIREB membership as in past years. The additional input helped to increase the number of candidates for the honour.
Erika-Leigh Haley of Royal LePage Advance Realty in Campbell River
Erika was instrumental in the organization and distribution of the bursaries for School District 72 in Campbell River. She assembled a team for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life that has raised over $34,000 in the last 5 years. She also organized a fundraising gala called Beauty for the Beast, which raised over $7,000 for a new Campbell River SPCA shelter.
Bernie Poole of RE/MAX Ocean Pacific Realty in Comox
Bernie has served as the coordinator for the RE/MAX Christmas Dream Program, which assists families in need, for the last 10 years. He is Chair of the Annual Walk for Hearts, which is a fundraiser for the Comox Valley First Open Heart Society, raising funds for St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation and its Cardiac Care Facility.
Debbie Meiner of RE/MAX of Duncan
Debbie is a Director of the Cowichan Family Caregivers organization and has participated in a variety of local women’s groups in the Duncan community. She is a passionate supporter of the Children’s Miracle Network, the Clements Centre, The United Way, MS Campaign, and Canadian Cancer Society. For several years, she has travelled with her son and assisted with a dental group called Kindness in Action, who delivers dental services to indigenous people in Peru and Guatemala.
Matt Breedlove of Royal LePage Parksville-Qualicum Realty
Matt is a volunteer for the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Program. He helped organize a Haiti relief benefit and a fundraiser for the Mosaic Youth Talent showcase. Together with his wife, Linda and daughter Haley he participated in a tour of the Middle Schools in Districts 68 & 69 on an awareness campaign to help stop bullying. His family also sponsors a child through World Vision and he contributes to their Shelter Foundation.
Dave Koszegi of RE/MAX of Nanaimo
Dave is a strong supporter of the Children’s Miracle Network. He supplies team jerseys for a number of local hockey teams at the minor and adult recreation levels.
Judy Gray of RE/MAX Mid-Island Realty in Ucluelet
The VIREB REALTOR® of the Year Awardis one of the highest honours the real state board can bestow upon its members and recognizes those individuals whose dedication to excellence has had a profound influence on the professional image of VIREB REALTORS® and exemplifies such characteristics as leadership, industry stakeholder participation and active community involvement. This year’s winner, Judy, is a passionate supporter of the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation among other charitable activities. Earlier this year, she was awarded the RE/MAX of Western Canada “Spirit of the West” Award for her extensive community-based charity work.
