Each year, REALTORS® across Canada come together to support local shelter-related charities during the annual REALTORS Care® Week. Joining these efforts, staff at the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) rolled up their sleeves to help renovate a volunteer room at a local drop-in centre.
Located just minutes from CREA’s Ottawa offices, Centre 507 welcomes more than 150 people each day, helping support them with nutritious meals, harm reduction, job preparation, legal assistance, housing, and other needs-based services.
“Cooking, repairs, administrative work, and everything in between, our volunteers do so much. Without each one of them, we couldn’t welcome thousands every year to Centre 507. We’re thrilled to be able to offer them a special space at the Centre,” said Richard LeBlanc, Executive Director at Centre 507.
CREA is proud to have the opportunity to transform the volunteer room into a functional and comfortable space for the hard-working volunteers to take a break.
As Chair of Centre 507 and CREA’s Relationship Training Manager, Lynn St-Germain has a special connection to this renovation.
“I have seen first-hand the incredible work the dedicated staff and volunteers have been doing to support local participants, especially during the last two years. It’s imperative that our volunteers feel comfortable and appreciated because without their help we could not sustain the same level of service we aim to provide,” St-Germain said.
To make this renovation possible, more than 15 CREA staff volunteers are expected to work throughout the week on the project.
“Centre 507 is an essential service in our community, and they do amazing work. I am so proud of how the CREA team has stepped up to support the Centre and its volunteers,” said CREA’s Patrick Pichette who helped clean, sand and paint the room.
Supporting Centre 507 during this year’s REALTORS Care® Week is just one of many ways CREA contributes to causes both locally and nationally. Throughout the year CREA supports Centre 507 and other charities including:
Ottawa Food Bank
The Ottawa Food Bank provides fresh and non-perishable food to more than 100 emergency food programs in Ottawa. Throughout the year, CREA’s Social Committee organized virtual Bingo games with all proceeds going to the Ottawa Food Bank. Additionally, the Social Committee is about to start their annual Ottawa Food Bank holiday drive. Their efforts have helped feed hungry children and their families over the holidays for many years.
Canadian Red Cross
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had devastating humanitarian impacts. Millions of Ukrainians have fled and millions more are internally displaced. To support the Canadian Red Cross and their efforts to help Ukrainians, CREA’s Social Committee raised $1,000 through Bingo games.
United Way
Through payroll deductions CREA staff can make donations to registered Canadian charities through United Way. The United Way partners with other organizations who help create opportunities for those in Canada who are working hard to better their lives. CREA staff can choose which charities their donation will go toward, which makes it easy to support the cause that means the most.
Without the dedication of volunteers many charities wouldn’t be able to provide much-needed services. CREA is proud to support Centre 507 volunteers and join efforts by REALTORS® across the country to support shelter-related charities during the fourth annual REALTORS Care® Week.
