Bruce Johnson, realtor and salesperson with Wasaga Bay, Ontario’s Re/Max By The Bay Brokerage has been a strong supporter of the Children’s Miracle Network and brought in hundreds of realtors worldwide to support their children’s hospitals.

 

A heartbreaking journey

 

As his career began in 1997, Johnson signed up to be a Miracle Agent for the Children’s Miracle Network, donating a portion of every home sale to his local children’s hospital. Shortly after, he and his wife, Mary, learned that they were expecting their firstborn child.

Alyssa Rae was born on November 17, 1998, and was immediately rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at SickKids Hospital in Toronto with a rare condition known as omphalocele, where organs had grown outside of her body. Her condition was further exacerbated by an exposed heart and issues with her lungs and brain. After three weeks of fighting for her life, on Sunday, December 6, Alyssa passed away.

“We had her for 20 days, and that itself is a miracle. Without SickKids, that would not have happened,” shares Mary.

Mary and Johnson welcomed their second daughter, Holly, and youngest, Jocelyn. Both children also needed treatment from SickKids.

 

Turning grief into action: The birth of ‘Motorcycle for Miracles’

 

In 2013, a promise made during one of Holly’s eye surgeries at SickKids turned a planned father-daughter adventure into a fundraiser in memory of Alyssa known as “Motorcycle for Miracles.”

Fundraising began in Wasaga Beach and included the pair riding their motorcycle to Costa Rica to raise money for the Alyssa Rae Johnson Fund at SickKids, supporting high-priority needs in medical research, education and patient care — from stubborn cancers and involved heart conditions to rare diseases and more.

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Over the next six years, with the support of their whole family, Johnson and Holly took an additional two trips: Canada to Costa Rica was followed by Newfoundland to British Columbia and then the “Ends of the Earth” ride spanning the Americas — from the Northwest Territories to Argentina.

“These kids are the toughest human beings on earth. They really are. And they haven’t done anything to deserve to be in the hospitals,” says Johnson. “That’s the steel in our spines that kept us going through stuff that most people would stop for.”

 

60,000 kilometres for kids: Spreading hope across the Americas

 

Along their routes, Johnson and Holly met with local agents and brokerages at each stop, to speak with them about the impact of realtor-driven donations and raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network. They also encouraged realtors to start their own campaigns in support of local children’s hospitals.

In total, they rode 60,000 kilometres and raised $750,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network to support sick children everywhere.

In recognition of his worldwide impact, Johnson received a 2019 Good Neighbors Award from the National Association of Realtors in the United States (making him the only non-American recipient ever).

Following this, Johnson ventured on a final solo “Road to a Million” ride through Newfoundland and Labrador in 2022. He successfully raised $1 million for the Children’s Miracle Network — $865,000 of which went directly to the Alyssa Rae Johnson Fund at SickKids in Toronto.

 

Continuing the fight: Johnson’s promise despite his own battle

 

This past spring, the Johnsons again received devastating medical news: Bruce had non-operable, stage four lung cancer and his doctors didn’t know how much longer he had. He’s currently receiving targeted treatment to prolong his life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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While many in his position might slow down and take a step back from work and other commitments, Johnson has tirelessly continued to raise money and awareness of children dealing with severe health issues, despite his own prognosis.

“If I could, I think that I’d like to tell Alyssa about how awesome our Dad is,” says Holly. “I think that he deserves to know that she would be really proud of him and everything that he’s given for her memory.”

 

The final push to $1 million for Alyssa Rae

 

Johnson’s final goal is to see the Alyssa Rae Johnson Fund reach $1 million.

 

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“We are so fragile, and these places put us back together, put these kids back together, are magically trying to put me back together,” he shares. “Even if the drugs are failing me, those will be my last days because that’s something that I really think is meaningful to leave that legacy behind. For Alyssa. I promised her, I can’t and won’t forget her.”

 

Learn more and support Johnson and his cause here.

 

Photo: Realtorscare.ca

 

With over 40 per cent of women in Canada reporting their experience of violence at the hands of an intimate partner, and nearly all of those women suffering at least one brain injury as a result, British Columbia-based charity Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury Through Research (SOAR) is working to bring attention to this issue.

 

Grant of $75,000 to help the cause

 

The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation (RLSF) is supporting their work with a grant of $75,000. The funds will be used to help launch a training program for women’s shelters across Canada, equipping front-line staff with the knowledge and skills they need to better support women who’ve experienced a brain injury from intimate partner violence.

“When we first heard the horrifying statistics on how many women were suffering a brain injury from intimate partner violence and learned how many shelter workers still didn’t know how to recognize or respond to it, we knew this was a project we had to support as part of our commitment to helping women and children find safety and healing from domestic abuse,” says Lisa Gibbs, executive director of RLSF.

 

Project will help create new, standardized best practices in identifying and supporting survivors at a shelter

 

Karen Mason, co-founder and executive director of SOAR, expresses how grateful the organization is to RLSF for supporting such impactful work. They can’t wait to get started.

“This project has the potential to form the basis for new, standardized best practices in identifying and supporting survivors at what is often their first point of contact after leaving an abusive relationship — a shelter — leading to better outcomes overall,” Mason adds.

 

Photo: RoyalLePageLeadingEdge.ca

 

On September 12, 2024, the Ontario Realtors Care Foundation (ORCF) is holding its 17th Motorcycle Ride for Charity.

With a mission to enable and empower realtors across Ontario to fundraise in support of shelter-related causes in the communities in which they live and work, ORCF funds registered charities that improve the quality of Ontarians’ lives by providing refuge, a haven or another type of protection from the effects of hunger, the elements, abuse, disabilities and illness.

 

The event

 

Participants will choose to ride one of two routes this September. At the end, they’ll meet to end their day together in Peterborough over dinner.

While the full itinerary is still coming, the Eastern and Western routes are:

• Ottawa — Smiths Falls — Kingston — Peterborough
• Kitchener — Barrie — Peterborough 

 

 

Previous years help but need still great

 

In 2023, ORCF granted out over $1.8 million dollars in funds to over 170 organizations to support individuals who need it the most. This included the Motorcycle Ride for Charity’s best year ever, when it raised approximately $49,000.

And the need is great. In Ontario:

• 45 per cent of tenant households spend 30 per cent or more of their total income on shelter — the highest rate in Canada.
• Food bank use has increased 42 per cent over the past three years and a third of those visitors are using this service for the first time.

Source: Association of Municipalities of Ontario

 

Goal for 2024

 

This year, ORCF has set an ambitious goal to raise $52,000, which it will use to support shelter-related causes in Ontario.

“In 2023, the Foundation made a major impact on shelter and food insecurity in Ontario by donating $1.8 million to over 170 charitable organizations. But the need is great, and we can do more,” Shannon Ketelaars, ORCF’s executive director, explains.

She notes that skyrocketing housing costs and food inflation are causing more households to choose between feeding their families or putting a roof over their heads. “Now more than ever, it’s important that our community stays connected and comes together to build awareness, raise much-needed funds and discuss the positive impact that realtors and our industry can make through the work of the Ontario Realtors Care Foundation,” expresses Ketelaars.

 

Get more information, register to ride or pledge a rider here.

 

Image: Ontario Realtors Care Foundation

 

On May 4, the fifth annual Jump in the Lake Challenge (JILC) was held, which raised over $25,000 for local food banks in Coboconk and Haliburton.

The event had participants jumping into the cold early May waters from their own docks or local piers to raise much-needed funds to battle hunger in the community.

“We continue to be amazed how our community has embraced what has now become a fun, annual event,” says JILC founder, Dean Michel. “When you combine brave individuals and generous donors, good things happen to make a difference in people’s lives”

Coboconk and Area Food Bank chairperson, Amy Alfredsson, who jumped into a frigid Balsam Lake herself, notes that the food bank would not exist without generous community support.

“What a generous and supportive community we live in,” Alfredsson, comments. “With more than $20,000 in cash and food donations collected and more still coming in, the JILC has provided the funds to pay for meat purchases for almost an entire year.”

She adds, “The funds raised and the food collected will go a very long way in feeding our CAFB families. Thank you for your participation in and donations made to the Jump in the Lake Challenge again this year.”

In its five years running, the JILC has raised over $175,000 for the local community.

 

Photo: Dean Michel dressed as a Jedi in honour of Star Wars Day

 

The A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections (ABCHI) Canada team recently donated $6,500 to Make-A-Wish Canada, adding to over $36,000 donated to Canadian causes since 2015.

Make-A-Wish Canada grants wishes to children with critical illnesses to help bring joy and hope to an otherwise difficult situation.

“Make-A-Wish Canada provides ABCHI inspectors with a meaningful opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of children battling critical illnesses. Our support embodies our collective commitment to spreading joy and hope, inspiring us all to be part of something truly impactful,” explains Patrick Sharkey, home inspector, ABCHI Fredericton.

 

Contributions from inspections matched by ABCHI annually

 

This annual contribution comes from funds donated by every inspection completed nationwide from the previous year — through ABCHI’s Inspectors Care program — which is matched dollar for dollar by ABCHI Canada.

The company notes this goes above and beyond the local charity each franchise donates to as a way to give back on an ongoing basis to the local communities that support their businesses.

 

‘A fantastic cause for all ABCHI inspectors’

 

ABCHI says this very important cause that creates special memories for children facing tough times with their health really resonates with its inspectors across Canada.

“Supporting Make-A-Wish Canada is a fantastic cause for all ABCHI inspectors because it grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses. Not only does it provide joy and inspiration to these children and their families, but it also fosters a sense of community and goodwill among supporters.

The impact of granting a wish goes beyond the moment – it creates lasting memories and hope during challenging times. Supporting such a cause can bring a profound sense of fulfillment and pride to those involved,” says Stuart Websdale, home inspector, ABCHI Halton-Hamilton.

 

Chatham-Kent Association of Realtors held its annual holiday members meeting and lunch on December 13 at the Links of Kent Event Centre in Chatham, Ontario.

Over 150 members attended and, to give back to their community, raised over $2,100 and more than 75 bags of non-perishable food donations for Chatham Outreach For Hunger. A donation to CMHA Lambton Kent, Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario for $3,719 was also made.

At the event, Phil Dorner, past OREA president, helped install the 2024 board of directors, and the association thanked two outgoing directors for their dedication and service. As well, 2023 president Matt Bechard reflected on the achievements and milestones of the year, while looking ahead to what lies ahead for 2024.

 

Recently, The Lakelands Association of Realtors (Lakelands) and its members identified greater challenges being faced by many in the region, especially those relying on shelters and food banks for support.

To respond to this growing need, the organization and its members increased its giving — to the tune of nearly $106,000 in financial contributions — to over 25 regional charities and shelter-based food banks and charities. These organizations are using the funds to provide shelter, food and assistance to those experiencing homelessness or food insecurity. 

The fundraising was made via initiatives like the annual Every Realtor campaign, to which realtor members make monthly contributions, the Lakelands Annual Turkey Challenge and the Tragic Relief fund.

Lakelands president Matthew Lidbetter comments: “At the Lakelands, we believe in the power of local community and the importance of supporting one another, especially during the holiday season. This year, we’re pleased to extend our helping hand to those facing hardship by contributing almost $106,000 to shelter-based charities and food banks. We hope these efforts bring comfort, and a sense of community to those in need.”

 

This month, Steve Nabuurs of Royal LePage Prince Edward Realty in Charlottetown will be supporting the safety of women and children in his community in a pretty unique way – by hiking for five days towards the base of one of the world’s highest active volcanoes, Mount Cotopaxi in Ecuador.

Funds raised will go towards Anderson House, for the safety and security of women and children fleeing abuse.

 

First Royal LePage professional to partake in ‘Challenge for Shelter’

 

This initiative is part of Royal LePage Shelter Foundation’s “Challenge for Shelter” trek, held every two years in remote areas. Selected participants pay their own way and raise money to support local domestic violence programs and women’s shelters.

Nabuurs was the first Royal LePage professional chosen to participate in the program from Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.). He and his colleagues felt the opportunity would raise significant awareness about the challenges many women and children in P.E.I. face.

 

Over $10,000 raised for those escaping abuse

 

The team raised over $10,000 through its community BBQ and family fun day with bouncy castles, popcorn, snow cone machines, face painting and an ice cream cart, plus prize draws and a silent auction.

“We received an overwhelming and incredibly heartwarming amount of support when we announced our plans to our neighbouring businesses. Not a single one turned us down to be part of the fun and fundraising for our local shelter,” Nabuurs recalls.

“Sponsorships and donations poured in, with everyone giving what they could to make the day a success. Charlottetown police and fire services even brought a fire truck, police car and mascot to amp up the kid-friendly fun.”

 

“We envision it becoming an annual event”

 

Families from the entire province came out for the fun. The event was meant to be held outdoors but due to heavy rain and high winds, a local shopping centre relocated the group inside at no charge. Everyone stayed dry, safe and happy.

“Witnessing the remarkable success of this event has ignited our passion to nurture and grow it into an annual tradition,” says Royal LePage Prince Edward Realty owner, Rudy Chong. “It all began with Steve’s unwavering commitment to making a difference, and we envision it becoming an annual event that Islanders can look forward to year after year.”

 

It’s no secret REALTORS® are trusted experts in their communities. With this expertise often comes an understanding of a community’s needs, and REALTORS® across Canada are taking action to meet these needs. Now is your opportunity to recognize someone whose actions have created an outstanding, positive impact for their community.

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is now accepting nominations for the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2024, proudly presented by REALTOR.ca. Each year, this award recognizes a REALTOR® whose charitable accomplishments have created lasting change in the lives of others.

Those interested in nominating a candidate may do so by completing the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award nomination form. Any member of CREA, in good standing, who isn’t a member of CREA’s board of directors or its Environmental, Social, and Governance Committee can be nominated.

CREA is asking nominators to send in inspiring stories of REALTORS® who go above and beyond to make an impact. Nominators will need to complete the nomination form, providing a history of the REALTOR®’s charitable work and highlighting the positive difference this REALTOR® is making in their community.

Alongside the nomination form, nominators need to submit at least one letter of recommendation obtained in the past year from a representative of a registered charity supported by the nominee. They also need to include at least one piece of supporting documentation which can be but is not limited to media coverage, photographs or social media posts.

Since 2016, nine REALTORS® across five provinces have been honoured with the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award. Whether their impact was made through transformative volunteering, advocacy, fundraising or philanthropy, every recipient has embodied the REALTORS Care® spirit.

The 2023 recipient, Dale Devereaux, has been finding ways to support the city of Red Deer, Alberta, since moving to the community in the 1980s. Devereaux partnered with the Red Deer Food Bank to feed close to 30,000 central Albertans over the past 25 years, through his “Feed a Family at Christmas” campaign. He also played a key role in bringing a Ronald McDonald House to his community — finding the land the house now sits on and helping to raise a staggering $12.1 million in 15 months for the facility’s construction.

• Devereaux was one of 48 REALTORS® nominated for the 2023 award. Through the new REALTORS Care® Spotlight series, CREA has and will continue to share the impactful stories of some of these nominees, including:
• Chris Dunlop, of Toronto, Ontario, who has led multi-million-dollar capital campaigns for local youth centres, all while motivating his brokerage to become a national leader in fundraising for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation.
• Brenda MacKenzie, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, who founded “A Home for Everyone”, to support the city’s unhoused population, over a decade ago. She now uses the non-profit to help families in need find and finance a safe place to call home.
• Rose Iannacchino, of Niagara Falls, Ontario, who spends countless hours creating access to healthy and affordable food for the most vulnerable members of her community, as the volunteer co-executive director of GROW Community Food Literacy Centre.

The recipient of the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2024 will be announced at CREA’s Annual General Meeting, in April 2024, and their story will be shared across the country. In addition to receiving national recognition and coverage, CREA will donate $5,000 to the recipient’s favourite charity.

Each nominee may have the opportunity to have their impact featured as part of next year’s REALTORS Care® Spotlight series. Nominees asked to be featured will be contacted by CREA’s REALTORS Care® team, in early 2024.

Nominations must be submitted by 4 p.m. EST on Friday, December 1. For full details, and to nominate a deserving REALTOR®, go to REALTORSCare.ca/nominate.

Back after a four-year pause, Royal LePage Royal City Realty‘s Summer Soiree helped to benefit Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis through the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation.

Supporters got together under a tent (to avoid the rain) at Aberfoyle Mill. They enjoyed live music by Southbound Soul, games, and an auction.

 

Funds will help bring safety, hope, and healing to those in need

 

The event successfully raised $26,500 for the Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis community organization, which was founded in 1977 and helps women and children impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking.

Executive Director Sly Castaldi spoke at the event to share their gratitude for Royal LePage Royal City Realty’s ongoing and generous support. They highlighted the additional value Royal LePage professionals bring to the community through fundraising efforts to offer those in need safety, hope, and healing.

 

Looking forward to more Summer Soirees

 

“Everyone needs a safe and loving place to call home, and Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis provides our most vulnerable with the community, safety, and reassurance they need,” says Jeff C. Morley, broker of record for Royal LePage Royal City Realty. “We’re exceptionally proud to be part of their mission and look forward to many more years of the Summer Soiree!”