This holiday season will hopefully be a little brighter for many people in the Greater Toronto area thanks to Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB).
Recently, TREB contributed $320,000 on behalf of its REALTOR® members, to the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation. This money goes to provide grants to shelter-based organizations throughout Ontario.
“Earlier this year our Members voted overwhelmingly in favor of participating in the ‘Every REALTOR®‘ campaign, which allowed us to make a donation on their behalf to the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation,” said TREB President Maureen O’Neill. “It’s just one example of our Members’ commitment to giving back to the communities in which they work and live.”
This year, the Foundation provided 14 grants in the amount of $10,000 to a variety of organizations in the Greater Toronto Area. These organizations, which were endorsed by the Toronto Real Estate Board, included a number of women’s shelters, youth centres, and hospices.
The Toronto Real Estate Board also recently announced its long-term commitment to the Feeding Our Future children’s breakfast program, with an initial installment of $50,000 to fund the purchase of kitchen equipment. Operated in conjunction with the Toronto District School Board, the program currently provides children in need at eight Toronto schools with nutritious breakfasts, to sustain their learning throughout each school day. Brokerages have sponsored the schools, where REALTOR® volunteers serve and clean up after meals.
Annual events hosted by the Toronto Real Estate Board provide other opportunities for REALTORS® to give back. At its two-day REALTOR® Quest conference this year, the Toronto Real Estate Board raised funds for the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity Toronto, as contributions were collected from the 7,000 REALTORS® in attendance.
The Toronto Real Estate Board’s annual Charity Golf Classic raised additional funds for the Salvation Army, resulting in a contribution of $17,800.
Habitat for Humanity Toronto has been a long-term beneficiary of the Toronto Real Estate Board, which has sponsored two homes and is currently working on a third.
“As REALTORS® we dedicate our lives to helping people achieve the dream of home-ownership so our support of Habitat for Humanity is a natural fit,” said Ms. O’Neill.
While many of the Toronto Real Estate Board’s charitable activities reflect REALTORS®’ commitment to education and shelter-related causes, those in urgent need are not overlooked either. Donations have been made to the burn unit of the Hospital for Sick Children, to victims of the earthquake in China and to those struck by a cyclone in Burma earlier this year.
“Through the Toronto Real Estate Board, their real estate brokerages and individual volunteerism, Greater Toronto REALTORS® routinely demonstrate that they’re dedicated to helping others,” said O’Neill.
Individual brokerages contribute to a wide range of community causes, including granting the wishes of seriously ill children, raising funds for women’s shelters, providing winter coats to those in need and sponsoring children in developing countries. In addition to making financial contributions, many REALTORS® invest their time in charitable activities.
Pictured: TREB REALTOR® Carolyn Griffis of RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd. and Children’s Breakfast Program founder, providing meals to some program participants.
