A Time for Giving

November 28, 2011 -- It is that time of year again: a time to give.

As TREB Members, we have sponsored a number of worthy organizations throughout the years, one of which is Habitat for Humanity Toronto. I recently had the pleasure of working alongside Members from the East and West regions as we took part in the construction of a house located at Kingston Road and Morningside Avenue. It marks the fourth title sponsorship of seven Habitat for Humanity builds to which TREB has contributed in recent years.

The house will soon become a home for one low-income family currently living in substandard housing. For their part, the family will be required to contribute 500 volunteer hours to Habitat for Humanity Toronto and repay a zero-down payment, interest free mortgage over an average of 25 years.

Luckily, we had beautiful weather for our day of volunteering and I was put on garden patrol. (I’m not to be trusted with a hammer.) To learn more and check out how we did, view our YouTube video of the project: http://youtu.be/BIChA_RM63k


Another example of our efforts to improve the quality of life in our city is the Children’s Breakfast Program. Initiated five years ago by Carolyn Griffis of RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd., the program involves more than 150 TREB Member volunteers who serve and clean up after the approximately 9600 nutritious breakfasts provided every month to children in 17 different local schools. To learn more about volunteering, or if your office is interested in adopting a school click here.



As part of the Every REALTOR® campaign, TREB Members also contribute $1 per Member per month to the REALTORS Care Foundation, which last year raised more than $500,000 and provided grants totaling $178,710 to 35 shelter-based charities throughout the Greater Toronto Area. On your behalf we contributed to the following organizations:

Blue Door Shelters
Casey House Hospice Inc./Casey House Foundation
The Centre for Addiction & Mental Health
Covenant House Toronto
Durham Youth Housing and Support Services
Ernestine's Women's Shelter
Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth
Good Neighbours Club
Habitat for Humanity Toronto
Horizons for Youth/Housing for Youth in the City of York Corp.
Houselink Community Homes
Inn from the Cold Inc.
Interim Place
Interval House
LOFT Community Services
Na-Me-Res
Nellie's Women's Hostels Inc.
New Leaf Living and Learning Together
North York Women's Shelter
People in Transition - My Sister's Place
Salvation Army
Sanctuary
Sandgate Women's Shelter of York Region
Scarborough Women's Centre
Seeds of Hope Foundation
Street Health Community Nursing Foundation
Sutton Youth Shelter
Heart Touching Heart Ministries - The Dam
The Redwood
The Vitanova Foundation
Touchstone Youth Centre
Yellow Brick House Project Hostel
Yorktown Shelter for Women
Youth Without Shelter
YWCA Women's Shelter

In recent years, TREB contributed $10,000 to the construction of the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, which is now nearing completion.
The museum is envisioned as a centre for learning where people from around the world will engage in discussion and commit to taking action against hate and oppression. Human rights issues from Canada and around the world will be featured, highlighting the hardships in countries from which many of our Members have come.

REALTORS® from all over Canada, myself included, have donated to this important institution, which will feature the REALTOR "R" in its entryway. If you are interested in contributing please visit www.beginswithyou.net

Sadly, our REALTOR® community lost one of our own Members to violence recently. Devinder Kumar, a Sales Representative with Re/Max Legacy Realty Inc. Brokerage in Mississauga, was slain November 10th near a Caledon home that he had listed for sale. Mr. Kumar, who was 38 years old, leaves behind a wife and two daughters, ages six and nine. A trust fund has been established for the Kumar family, and TREB has made a contribution. Additional donations can be made at TD Canada Trust using transit # 01842 and account # 5259280.


Earlier this year we lost another Member to tragic circumstances when Tony Han, a REALTOR® with Homelife Landmark Realty Inc., was abducted along with his client while viewing a property. It is believed that the ordeal caused Mr. Han to suffer a fatal heart attack in the hands of his kidnappers. A fund was also established to help his wife and son. Donations can be made at TD Canada Trust TD Canada Trust using transit # 1277 and account # 6310458.


A number of years ago I was involved with Casey House Hospice, an AIDS hospice that offers people dealing with HIV/AIDS a place to seek respite from the disease. Casey House Hospice will soon begin building a new facility that will house all of its services under one roof. It will include hospital-style rooms, a day centre and home hospice services.

Casey House Hospice and Habitat for Humanity are two of the charities that will benefit from some of the fundraising activities at TREB during my term as your President.

Though TREB has contributed to these good causes on your behalf, we encourage you to join in our efforts to support them.

We know that our Members give to many great causes throughout the year and we would like to hear about your good works. Each year, TREB recognizes Members’ volunteer efforts with its Civic Service Award – be sure to watch for a TorontoMLS posting regarding award nominations in the coming months.

In the meantime, please accept my best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season.

Yours truly,
Richard Silver, President
Toronto Real Estate Board