-kind support and the awareness that’s being created for oneROOF Youth.”
55 families get one step closer to homeownership
On June 13, 2024 more than 40 members of the Manitoba Real Estate Association (MREA) traded in their “for sale” signs for steel-toed boots and hard hats, spending a day volunteering in support of Habitat for Humanity Manitoba’s largest-ever build, the Pandora Avenue West development.
The Manitoba REALTORS® Shelter Foundation has established a partnership with Habitat for Humanity Manitoba entitled REALTORS Care® About Habitat for Humanity and pledged to raise $100,000 in 2024 to support the Pandora Avenue West project in Winnipeg.
“As a REALTOR®, I’m involved with people’s homes on a daily basis,” explained Joel Green, Vice-Chair of the Manitoba REALTORS® Shelter Foundation when asked about the potential impact of their partnership. “I see the opportunity to contribute to create a ripple effect—in fact a generational effect into the future—for our community.”
The development spans eleven blocks and will total fifty-five affordable townhomes by twenty-six. They will house approximately two hundred seventy-five people including one hundred seventy-five children. The organization is also ensuring this community can thrive sustainably long-term as each Pandora Avenue West home is designed to be exceptionally energy efficient and when completed will have a carbon-free zero footprint.
You can learn more about past and upcoming REALTORS Care® Days at REALTORSCareDays.ca. If you’re interested in getting involved speak with your board or association to find out what’s planned in your region.
REALTORS Care® Days: Making a Positive Impact in Communities Across Canada
In January 2024, the Canadian Real Estate Association launched REALTORS Care® Days, a series of hands-on volunteering initiatives aimed at supporting housing and shelter-related charities throughout Canada.
This spring, over 175 REALTORS® participated in various activities to make a difference in their communities. Here’s a look at some of their impactful efforts.
Baking Love into Every Bite
On April 3, 2024, the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton (RAE) held their REALTORS Care® Day in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta (RMHC). Local REALTORS® took on the role of chefs by preparing healthy meals for families who are staying at RMHC while their children receive medical treatment.
“I think today’s experience has been awesome. The donations I make through the REALTORS® Community Foundation help support charities like this,” said James Mabey, CREA’s Chair for 2024-2025 and an Edmonton broker. “We couldn’t be happier to see the difference it makes for facilities like this and to bring people together around the kitchen table as REALTORS® often do.”
By day’s end, volunteers had served 80 meals and stored healthy leftovers in fridges for families to enjoy later. The commitment from Edmonton’s REALTORS® is evident; they made a $10,000 donation to RMHC Alberta in December 2023 to support ongoing operations.
Food Banks Supported Through Tough Times
With rising living costs leading many Canadians to seek assistance from food banks, on May 1, 2024, the Woodstock Ingersoll Tillsonburg and Area Association of REALTORS® (WITAAR) hosted their first official REALTOR Care® Day with a food drive benefiting local Salvation Army food banks. This event has been held annually on the first Wednesday of May since 2011.
Founded by Canadian REALTORS Care® Award recipient Kelly Byers, this year’s food drive collected an impressive total of 38,000 pounds across multiple communities including Woodstock and Ingersoll. Since its inception, WITAAR’s initiative has provided over 288,000 pounds of food to local Salvation Army branches.
The timing is strategic; as donations peak during holiday seasons but dwindle before summer begins. The recent collection will help ensure that local food banks can meet community needs until demand increases again later this year.
Supporting Youth Facing Homelessness
On May 2nd ,the Waterloo Region Association of Realtors (WRAR) organized an event supporting oneROOF Youth Services—an organization dedicated to assisting youth experiencing homelessness or those at risk. They kicked off a week-long fundraising initiative called REALTOR Run—a self-paced run or walk designed not only to raise funds but also awareness about youth homelessness issues.
Volunteers assembled 115 care kits for youth arriving at oneROOF while fundraising activities raised $3,855 through raffles featuring prizes such as concert tickets and barbecues.
“It’s humbling that WRAR supports us so significantly,” said Bonnie Kropf from oneROOF Youth Services. “Their contributions go beyond monetary donations; it includes vital awareness-building efforts.”
Helping Families Move Closer To Homeownership
On June 13th , more than 40 members from Manitoba Real Estate Association (MREA) traded real estate signs for hard hats as they volunteered with Habitat for Humanity Manitoba on its largest-ever build—the Pandora Avenue West development project.
The MREA Shelter Foundation has partnered with Habitat for Humanity Manitoba under “REALTORS Care About Habitat,” pledging $100K towards building affordable homes within Winnipeg throughout 2024.
“As realtors involved daily with homes,” explained Joel Green from MREA Shelter Foundation,“we see our opportunity here creating generational impacts within our community.”
This ambitious project spans eleven blocks aiming ultimately towards constructing 55 affordable townhomes, set up sustainably ensuring energy efficiency while maintaining zero carbon footprint upon completion—housing approximately 275 individuals, including around 175 children by 2026!
You can learn more about past events or upcoming opportunities relatedtoREALTORSCareDaysat REALTORSCareDays.ca. If you’re interested in getting involved locally speak directlywithyourboardorassociationtoseewhat’plannedinyourregion!
