For Ela, a 4-year-old girl with a neurological disorder, childhood hasn’t held all the joys that it should. On September 10, 2014, she got a reason to smile. Sutton Group-Signature Realty Inc. donated a playground through Million Dollar Smiles and several people from the Sutton office volunteered a day to build it.
Ela was in awe at seeing the beautiful, new playground in her backyard and to be cheered on by the crowd.
“The day was an incredible team-building experience that was very fulfilling, emotional and humbling,” says Peter Vukojevic, Broker/Manager at Sutton Group-Signature Realty Inc.
Million Dollar Smiles (MDS) is a grassroots non-profit organization started several years ago by Anna Lopes. MDS provides giant teddy bears, gift cards, digital devices (e.g. iPads for teens) and highly durable and safe playground equipment. To provide a playground to a child, a group must volunteer a day to assemble it and a minimum of $2,500 to cover the structure costs. This Sutton office generously donated $3,500.
Having met the charity founder at a recent Sutton Connect conference, Peter and Mira Tomljenovic, the Broker of Record, felt it was very important to get involved. They were moved to learn that the MDS founder volunteers her time and coordinated a record-breaking 38 playground builds for 2014.
Peter notes: “This is our first MDS playground build and we are already committed for another one next year!”
Building Ela’s playground involved hours of work but the group made sure to have fun—in keeping with the spirit of the project! They are sharing the happy event online:
This story was adapted – with permission – from one originally featured on the Sutton Spirit website. The Sutton Spirit program recognizes Sutton associates across Canada that improve and enhance the lives of the people around them.
