Each year, the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Association of REALTORS® Inc. Community Involvement Committee selects a local charity or charities to assist with fundraising for a wide variety of causes. In 2011, three charities were selected and PKAR’s REALTOR® volunteers, members, and staff donated hundreds of volunteer hours to raise money for The Learning Disabilities Association, Canadian Mental Health Association, Peterborough, and Five Counties Children’s Centre.
Fundraisers held throughout the year, as well as the annual Charity Golf Tournament and Past Presidents Night Awards Auction, yielded $14,530.48. The Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation donated $1,266 each for five Peterborough charities – Casa De Angelae, Community Care Peterborough, Down Syndrome Association, Five Counties Children’s Centre, and the Youth Emergency Shelter for a total of $6,300.00.
In May, REALTOR® members and staff participated in the Heart and Stroke Foundation Big Bike Ride.
In October, REALTOR® members worked on a pair of houses for Habitat for Humanity.
This year, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Association of REALTORS® Inc. was host to the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation Motorcycle RIDE for Charity. The goal for the Foundation’s charity RIDE over the last few years has been to travel throughout Ontario raising awareness of the Foundation to fellow REALTORS® and real estate Boards of the Foundation’s goals to communities. This year’s RIDE was a three day event visiting real estate Boards throughout central and eastern parts of Ontario. 100% of the proceeds from the RIDE benefits the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation, which supports shelter-related causes in the community. The riders were greeted by Mayor Daryl Bennett and had their photos taken at the Peterborough Lift Locks. Later that evening, a wonderful meal was enjoyed at Kelsey’s.
On December 3, a “Christmas Vacation” float was entered in the Peterborough Santa Claus Parade and candy was handed out to the parade watchers, old and young alike. The Griswolds were enjoyed by many and the float participants had a great time.
At the Annual Christmas Breakfast, $1,258.48 was raised for the Salvation Army and $322.50 was raised for the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation, and $322.50 was raised for the Sweet Dreams Charity to purchase pyjamas and nightgowns for children aged one month to 18 years who are staying at Crossroads or with the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation. To date a total of $22,843.96 has been raised by Peterborough and the Kawarthas Association of REALTORS® Inc.
Every year REALTOR® volunteers, members, and staff also dedicate their time and energy in manning Santa Sleigh at Walmart for the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation to ensure each child receives a gift at Christmas.
