Victoria, BC – On April 30 at 11:00 a.m., representatives from Sutton Group – West Coast Realty in Victoria will present a special birthday gift to George Jay Elementary School for their 100-year anniversary: a cheque for $7,500.  This money will be used for beautification projects such as permanent picnic tables for the Community Breakfast Program as well as multicultural and Aboriginal murals.  This is the second school in the Victoria area to receive money through Sutton Group – West Coast Realty’s Adopt-a-School program.  Each month, REALTORS® and management make personal contributions to the fund.

“We believe kids are our future and want to participate in community partnerships to make the greater Victoria area the best it can be for our future generations,” says Lynn Van de Kamp, the office manager.  “The Adopt-a-School committee, comprised of volunteers from Sutton, chose George Jay Elementary for the 2009/2010 school year.”

“The parent advisory council (PAC) and staff of George Jay were overwhelmed with the generous amount of $7,500 that we were able to raise for their school at a time when education funding is being cut.”

Sutton Group – West Coast Realty launched their community-focused, charitable initiative in June 2008.  Their first ‘adoptee’ was the Shoreline Middle School.  By March 1, 2009, the REALTORS® had reached their target of $5,000 to complete the Shoreline Community Playground.  This gift has provided countless children with safe, new play equipment. Joan Solberg (pictured above happily testing out the playground) has worked on the committee since its inception.

Even before the latest cheque is delivered, the Adopt-a-School committee has researched and selected their third recipient: Victoria West Elementary.  Lynn expects that this school’s Principal and PAC will also use the money for beautification.  Items being considered include repairs to an outdoor play area although the school leadership will have nearly a year to decide how best to utilize their gift.

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:

Gabriel Soh                  604-691-1610         stories@suttonspirit.com

Sutton Group – West Coast Realty Contact:

Lynn Van de Kamp        250-479-3333         lvandekamp@sutton.com

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