The London St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR) presented nearly $40,000 to five local organizations as part of its community investment program.
LSTAR President Jim Smith and CEO John S. Geha bestowed cheques of $5,000 to Meals on Wheels London, $3,625 to Investing in Children, $25,000 to London Health Sciences Foundation, $5,000 to Hockey Helps the Homeless and $500 to Christmas Care St. Thomas.
“We are proud to support local charities who contribute so much to the communities where LSTAR REALTOR® members serve each day,” Smith said. “LSTAR members are very passionate about giving back to the community, and this is one initiative that gives us a tremendous opportunity to make a positive impact.”
Lori Ann Horley of the London Health Sciences Foundation (LHSF) accepted the $25,000 cheque for the LHSF Adult Eating Disorders Clinic, supporting kitchen equipment and upgrades to the clinic’s dining area. This is the second year of a two-year pledge made by LSTAR, for a total donation of $50,000.
Sarah Campbell and Vanessa Cullen of Meals on Wheels London, accepted a $5,000 cheque. Meals on Wheels London provides service to adults with disabilities and seniors in need of nutritional support.
Ted Gorski of Investing in Children, was on hand to receive the $3,625 cheque for Investing in Children. Investing in Children offers opportunities for children to grow, learn and thrive, including a program that provides nutritious meals and snacks to more than 10,000 children across 85 area schools.
Earl Taylor, representing Christmas Care St. Thomas, accepted a $500 cheque for the organization, which offers support to St. Thomas-Elgin families during the Christmas season with food, gifts and other items.
Hockey Helps the Homeless (HHTH) received a $5,000 cheque. HHTH’s mission is to leverage Canadians’ love of hockey to raise funds to support agencies servicing the homeless population. Since it was established in 1996, HHTH has raised more than $9 million nationally by organizing one day fantasy hockey tournaments in cities across Canada, including London, Ontario.
The awarded funds come from LSTAR’s Business Partners program, sponsorship, various fundraising events and the Ontario REALTORS® Care Foundation, of which LSTAR is a proud supporter.
