Coquitlam, BC – We all hope to spend our last days with dignity in a compassionate environment.  Many terminally-ill patients at Crossroads Hospice and their families have directly or indirectly experienced the care and support offered by Ann Soucie, a REALTOR® with Sutton Group – 1st West Realty.  Since 1998, Ann has visited patients at the hospice, used her business savvy to help establish the Crossroads Thrift Store and served on committees and as Chairperson for the Treasures of Christmas Fundraising Gala.  In recent years, Ann has helped to make this gala a great success and a major source of funding for the hospice.

“When I was Chairperson for the Treasures of Christmas Fundraising Gala, I moved the event from a local hotel to the Red Robinson Show Theatre in Coquitlam,” says Ann.  “It was a risk but I felt strongly that it would be beneficial.  We went from raising $50,000 and hosting 150 guests to raising $127,000 with 450 guests.  It continues to be a much-anticipated social event with excellent entertainment, food and auction items.  Last year, we raised $135,000 for the hospice.  We hope the next gala on November 26, 2012 will be another success in terms of raising money and awareness.”

A favourite element of the gala is the Christmas tree auction.  Dedicated volunteers decorate the trees and solicit donations of gifts.  “The trees are absolutely gorgeous and have wonderful, high-end gifts that go with them.  Bidding is usually between $1,000 to $2,000 and the bid winners get the tree, all the ornaments and the items that are underneath.  People can do all their Christmas shopping in one evening.”

Despite her busy schedule, this REALTOR® has consistently devoted time to improving the quality of life for vulnerable members of her community.  In addition to working on the gala, she visits with patients, did the interior design work for the massage therapy room and helped establish the thrift store to generate income for the hospice.  The store has become a treasure hunter’s haven and in June 2011 it was moved to a larger location at 2780 Barnet Highway in Coquitlam.

Since 2006, Ann has also worked on the REALTORS Care® task force.  “We organize fundraising events such as baseball games and golf tournaments that benefit non-profits involved in housing the homeless…. Like many of my colleagues, I believe in giving back because I’m so grateful for my community and everything else that I enjoy.”

Pictured above (left to right):  Ann Soucie, Chairperson, Treasures of Christmas Gala;  Tony Parsons, Master of Ceremonies, Global BC; Barb Henham, Executive Director, Crossroads Hospice Society

Sutton is a 100% Canadian-owned and operated company with more than 9,000 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:

Mandy Siu                        604-691-1610               stories@suttonspirit.com

Sutton Group – 1st West Realty Contact:

Ann Soucie                       604-942-7211               asoucie@sutton.com

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