Ride Raises $70,000 for Homeless Veterans
Kingston, ON – As many as 5,000 Canadian military veterans are homeless. Many of them have risked their lives to protect our freedom and some suffered injuries and post-traumatic stress making it more challenging to integrate back into civilian life.
The Kingston and Area Real Estate Association (KAREA) is inspiring REALTORS® to raise awareness and funds for a Homes for Heroes village in Kingston. On October 1, 2022, their members generated an astounding $50,000 in the Ride for Refuge.
Gail Power, a REALTOR® with Sutton Group – Masters Realty Inc., served on KAREA’s Task Force helping to organize her third Ride for Refuge. “The event itself was incredible! Most people walked 5km and a few rode bikes for 20km. Afterwards, we enjoyed a bite to eat with a performance by Music Healing Veterans, a silent auction, speeches, a live radio remote, and a magic mirror to take photos.”
“The icing on the cake was when the Kinsmen Club dropped by to present a cheque to Homes for Heroes on behalf of KAREA and its past fundraising efforts for an additional $20,000 (Realtors Match incentive). Overall, it was a $70,000 plus day!”
Gail is grateful for the way the local real estate community came together. “I’ve enjoyed calls from agents asking how they can help and hearing about the unique ways they raised funds including 50/50 draws, garage sales, door knocking and collecting in front of the Metro grocery store. Our broker David Hatt even organized a poker night!”
Throughout the year, REALTORS® can continue to raise funds and awareness through a sign rider program. For a minimum donation, participants can hang a sign rider that states: Proud supporter of Homes for Heroes Village. To learn more, contact Gail.
The 20-unit Heroes village in Kingston is expected to open in April 2023. In addition to a transitional tiny home, each veteran will receive support for mental health issues, budgeting, and other needs. Gail notes that a candidate would stay in a tiny home for up to 18 months then, after successful completion of the process, would be a afforded a job with the Commissionaires.
The KAREA task force consists of Kendra Hodgson (Exp Realty), Chris Jones (McCaffrey Realty), Kay Langmuir (Sutton Group Masters), Stacey MacDonald (Royal LePage Commercial), Christianne Newton (KAREA Executive Officer), and Gail Power (Sutton Group – Masters). They are already planning for the next Ride for Refuge on September 23, 2023!
Sutton is a 100% Canadian-owned and operated company with more than 6,500 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.:
Maria Castro
604-691-1689
stories@suttonspirit.com
Sutton Group – Masters Realty Inc.:
Gail Power
613-384-5500
gpower@sutton.com