This week is the 15th anniversary of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, Canada’s largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to funding women’s shelters and violence prevention programs. The Shelter Foundation was established in 2008, and each dollar raised goes directly to support over 300,000 women and children who are affected by abuse and family violence. Over these 15 years, more than $14 million has been raised and the Shelter Foundation has grown to support over 200 local women’s shelters. In addition to donations, volunteer-run fundraising events take place throughout the year across the country, with the help of Royal LePage agents, management, staff, and clients, along with members of the communities.
At Royal LePage Performance Realty, we are proud supporters of the Shelter Foundation. With the help of our Shelter Foundation committee and the support of our agents, brokers, and staff, we organize and host a variety of events aimed at raising donations for the charity. Some are major events such as our annual auction and the National Garage Sale, while others are smaller donation drives that take place in the branch offices. No matter the scale of the event, every dollar counts!
In addition to raising money for a good cause, we are always looking for fun ways to connect with each other and our communities. Last summer our branches organized an Olympic Drive for the Shelter Foundation to coincide with the 2012 Olympic Games, where agents and staff participated by donating every time Canada brought home a medal. This July, donations were collected from those who were hoping to guess the correct date of the birth of the Royal Baby. When the Canadian Mint removed pennies from circulation earlier this year, Performance Realty set up an ongoing “Pennies for Shelter” campaign, which allows agents and staff to donate their unused pennies.
Once a year in December, Performance Realty hosts a holiday lunch and auction at our Bank Street location, where we feature both a live and a silent auction. In 2012 we raised over $21,000 at this event alone! We also participate annually in the National Garage Sale for Shelter every May. Royal LePage offices across the country hold their own garage sales in their communities, with all proceeds going directly to a shelter in their area. This past May, our Garage Sale was held at our Cornwall branch in support of Baldwin House. A different branch has the chance to host from year to year, allowing all staff, management, and agents to participate or volunteer, and ensuring that various communities get the support they need.
To help mark the 15th anniversary of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, visit their website to read the stories of the women and children who have been affected by family violence. You can make a donation, find out how you can volunteer in your community, or simply learn more about the cause. You can also contact us at one of our branch locations for more information.
