DURHAM, July 8, 2015 — A group of motorcycle-riding Realtors en route to Ottawa dropped in to Durham today to help raise funds for shelter-related causes and charities across Ontario. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Motorcycle Ride for Charity, an annual event organized by the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation.
“We are delighted to have our fellow Realtors pay us a visit in the Durham Region on their way to Ottawa,” says Sandra O’Donohue, president of the Durham Region Association of REALTORS® (DRAR). DRAR donated $500 and provided refreshments for the riders at their stop at Royal LePage Frank Real Estate in Port Perry. “We are so thrilled to be able to participate and raise money for local charities,” commented O’Donohue.
The 2015 Motorcycle Ride for Charity kicked off at the Ontario Real Estate Association in Toronto. The riders also made stops in Peterborough and Smiths Falls before arriving at their final destination, the Ottawa Real Estate Board.
“What started as a summertime joyride for a group of Realtors with a fondness for riding, eventually turned into an annual fundraiser,” says Dreena Gilpin, president of the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation. “The annual ride is a fun way to support families in their pursuit of shelter and home ownership. This year’s goal is to raise $25,000 for shelter.”
Since 2006, the ride has raised over $247,000 for the Foundation. In 2014, the Foundation gave out $910,000 in grants to over 200 organizations across the province. Some recipients were: Habitat for Humanity, Covenant House Toronto, Eva’s Initiatives, Community Living Mississauga and the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa. The foundation operates solely on the basis of voluntary donations. The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) pays for the Foundation’s administrative costs, so every dollar raised directly benefits its recipients.
REALTORS® in Ontario play an integral part in their communities. In a recent survey by OREA, 84 per cent of Ontario Realtors said they had contributed to their local community either through local charities, sports teams or events within the past year. That means, over 51,000 of Ontario’s 61,000 Realtors contributed in one way or another to their community’s wellbeing.
Over $620,000 has been raised for the Foundation so far this year. For a full list of riders and for more information about the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation and Motorcycle Ride for Charity, visit www.realtorscareontario.ca.
About the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation
The Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation, formerly the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) Foundation was established in 1967. The Foundation supports shelter-based charitable organizations across Ontario. Every donation to the Foundation is invested, and the interest earned from the investments is allocated to the cause. All of the interest generated goes directly to supporting local charities, as the Foundation’s administrative costs are covered by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA).
About the Ontario Real Estate Association
The Ontario Real Estate Association represents over 60,000 brokers and salespeople who are members of the province’s 40 real estate boards. OREA serves its members through a wide variety of publications, education programs and special services. The association provides all real estate licensing courses in Ontario.
Durham REALTORS®, We Work Where You Live. To contact a local Durham Association REALTOR® or to search for a weekend open house or listings in your neighbourhood, please visit
www.DurhamRealEstate.org