Victoria, BC – Sharon Schaalje, REALTOR® with Sutton Group – West Coast Realty in Victoria, consistently donates to the Mercy Ship organization. The organization serves the poorest countries of the world and their populations who are in dire need. They have converted cargo ships into hospitals and offer free specialized surgeries aboard. They also establish community development projects in surrounding villages.

Sharon’s daughter, Deb Jacobsen, and her family, have been aboard and working on the Africa Mercy since August. They are currently anchored off the coast of Benin, located in western Africa. The ship’s hospital is 1,200 square metres and has the capacity to offer 7,000 surgical procedures a year. To operate this ship and its services there is a crew of 400 to 450 at all times.

Deb works as a Ward Counsellor and Administrator, while her husband, Mike Jacobsen, is the Financial Director. They also have two children, aged 11 and 14, who attend school on the ship. The cost for their family to stay onboard and working is $2500 per month. “I continually donate as much as I can. It is a way that I can help humanity,” explains Sharon.

“For those less fortunate, their lives are improved by the services of the aide workers, who donate their skills on Mercy Ships with programs of hope and healing,” says Sharon. She encourages anyone who is able to make a contribution to this worthwhile and caring organization. Visit www.mercyships.org to learn more about the organization and how to make a donation.

Sutton is a 100% Canadian-owned and operated company with more than 8,700 REALTORS® in over 200 offices nationwide. To find out more about Sutton, visit www.sutton.com. To learn more about Sutton Spirit, visit www.suttonspirit.com.

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Sutton Group Realty Services Ltd. Contact:

Midori Turner
Phone: 604-691-1610
Email:  stories@suttonspirit.com

Sutton Group – West Coast Realty Contact:

Sharon Schaalje
Phone: 250-652-6884
Email:  schaal@shaw.ca

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