Last month, the Association of Saskatchewan REALTORS® (ASR) presented a cheque to the Saskatoon Community Foundation just shy of $30,000. Joanne Kerr, Chair of the ASR’s Quality of Life in Saskatchewan committee and Bill Madder, ASR Chief Executive Officer were on hand to deliver the cheque for $29,883.24 to Trevor Forrest, Executive Director of the Saskatoon Community Foundation.
Part of their new Quality of Life in Saskatchewan initiative, the funds were raised through its inaugural Legacy Gala held this past April in Regina, proudly sponsored by Information Services Corporation, where REALTORS® from all over the province participated to support the cause. That evening the ASR also awarded $5,000 grants to six community organizations, all from different regions of the province. “This was the first year we awarded grants through our Legacy Grant Program,” comments Kerr, “and it really was one of those feel-good moments you are proud to be part of. The ASR very much looks forward to continuing the grants in 2014.”
The funds raised in 2013 by REALTORS® through the ASR’s Quality of Life in Saskatchewan initiative will be used to help fund the 2014 Legacy Grant Program, managed with the local expertise of the Saskatoon Community Foundation. “We are well on our way to meet and potentially exceed our 2013 fundraising goals,” remarks Kerr. “For our first year, the committee is really quite excited about the potential the future can bring and how we can be part of increasing the quality of life in our own communities.”
The Quality of Life in Saskatchewan initiative promotes the following principles:
- Support shelter-related services in our communities
- Enhance environmental sustainability, protection and/or conservation of our natural areas
- Support public education on the importance of private property rights
- Promote safer neighbourhoods and/or improved community services
- Enhance and promote community development and better opportunities for “at risk” populations and/or disadvantaged citizens
The Legacy Grant Program will be receiving applications again in early 2014. More information can be found here and updates will also be distributed through the ASR’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Any charitable organization in Saskatchewan supporting the Quality of Life in Saskatchewan’s principles listed above will be encouraged to apply.
“We hope the ASR’s Legacy Grant Program has a double effect, in that REALTORS® become known as business people that give back and care about their community,” comments Madder, “but also that we influence others to do so as well. It does take additional work and effort, but we know the benefits in our communities are priceless and well worth it for Saskatchewan.”
