KWAR REALTORS® Distribute $18,000 in Donations to Local Charities
Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® recently presented donations totaling just over $18,000 to three local charities.
Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region, House of Friendship, and YWCA Kitchener-Waterloo have each received $6,111 as a result of their successful grant applications to the REALTORS Care Foundation (RCF).
“Our members are proud to support the RCF through the Every Realtor campaign,” says Tony Schmidt, President of KWAR. “RCF funds shelter-related charities across Ontario. KWAR’s participation ensures that investments are being directed right back into our community through local charities. Every one of these charities is helping to improve the quality of life in Waterloo region, and it’s very gratifying for us to help these great local organizations reach their goals.”
Tony Schmidt President of KWAR, Karen Redman CEO Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region, James Craig Past President of KWAR, Jerry Lawlor VP of Development Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region & Colleen Koehler 2nd VP of KWAR.
Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region’s Karen Redman says “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the KW Association of Realtors in their efforts to sponsor another Habitat house. The REALTORS® in Kitchener and Waterloo continue to be leaders in our community recognizing that more families realizing homeownership leads to successful outcomes for the community.”
Tony Schmidt President of KWAR, Christy Sennema Stewardship Officer HOF, James Craig Past President of KWAR, Margaret Lucas Development Director HOF & Colleen Koehler 2nd VP of KWAR.
Margaret Lucas, Development Director at House of Friendship explained how the grant would be used for their Close to Home project, “This donation is a gift of recovery for our fathers, brothers, and sons who choose to enter our residential addiction treatment program which will now be offered in a facility with greater dignity, expanded access and services. It also brings hope and healing to their families as these men bravely choose to fight their addiction. We are so very grateful to KW’s REALTORS® for this generous gift.”
Sheryl Loeffler Director of Philanthropy YWCA, Tony Schmidt President of KWAR, Colleen Koehler 2nd VP of KWAR, James Craig Past President of KWAR & Jessica Wroblewski Manager of Major Gifts & Planned Giving YWCA.
Speaking on behalf of YW Kitchener-Waterloo, Elizabeth Clarke, CEO said, “In 2017, YWCA K-W provided emergency shelter, a warm bed, food, crisis support and, most of all, hope for 720 people (including 163 children) experiencing homelessness in our community. Many thanks to Kitchener-Waterloo’s REALTOR® community for providing three months of emergency shelter for a woman experiencing homelessness.”
Since 1993 the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® has donated well in excess of a million dollars to support local charities on behalf of its REALTOR® members.
REALTORS® believe that healthy communities depend on a strong economy, safe neighbourhoods, a clean environment, access to housing and the protection of rights of property owners. KWAR recognizes the need to support and enhance the Quality of Life enjoyed by residents of Waterloo region.