On September 12th from 11 AM – 3 PM EST, you’re invited to join us for a virtual conference and be part of something bigger.

Grow your business while giving back: Help raise much-needed funds for SickKids Foundation

This isn’t just another conference. This is a chance to grow your business with insights from top-tier speakers while helping Bruce Johnson cross the finish line on his incredible mission to raise $1,000,000 for SickKids, in memory of daughter, Alyssa Rae Johnson.

Why this matters 

Bruce’s story matters. He’s raised $900,000 so far, and now he’s battling stage 4 lung cancer. With your help, we’re pushing to get him to that $1 million mark. 100 per cent of ticket sales go directly to the SickKids Foundation through Bruce’s campaign.  

Every speaker. Every bonus. Every dollar. All for a great cause. This is your opportunity to grow AND give back. 

Together, we can make a difference — for your business, for Bruce, and for kids in need of lifesaving care at SickKids. 

Speaker lineup

Check out our top real estate & marketing expert speaker lineup and walk away with actionable strategies to boost your business. 

Andrew Perrie

Andrew Perrie is a luminary in the realm of real estate who stands as a beacon of charisma, leadership and inspiration. With over five years of unparalleled experience, he has not only established himself as a triumphant real estate team leader but has also ascended to the pinnacle of oratory prowess, captivating and motivating audiences on stages of all sizes.

From his early days, Andrew’s innate ability to forge connections and genuinely understand clients’ needs sowed the seeds of his flourishing career. This passion evolved into the creation of his own real estate team in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Muskoka, where his unwavering dedication to both clients’ triumphs and the team’s expansion earned him acclaim as a charismatic and results-driven leader.

Beyond his undeniable real estate acumen, Andrew’s exceptional gift for simplifying intricate concepts and inspiring through his podcast, “That Fine Life,” further solidifies his standing. His influence extends to the digital realm, where he has amassed a substantial and engaged following, emphasizing the importance of personal branding in today’s digital landscape. Andrew’s journey is marked not only by personal achievements but also by his fervent commitment to mentoring aspiring real estate professionals, making him a true luminary in the industry.

Justin Konikow

Justin Konikow is a visionary leader and co-owner of Prime Real Estate Brokerage and PRIME Media Productions, where he’s known for turning the industry on its head with innovative strategies and a fresh perspective. With decades of experience in the real estate market, Justin has become a national thought leader and sought-after speaker, guiding agents, developers and investors on mastering the art of market domination. His expertise spans luxury and waterfront properties, commercial investments and cutting-edge media production, making him a triple threat in the industry.

Justin owns one of the only firms that touch all aspects of real estate, a concept he calls “focused diversification.” His firm handles residential, commercial, investment, agricultural, land and recreational properties, cross-pollinating clients across these asset classes to offer a truly comprehensive service. His team operates like a Navy SEAL unit, assembling a tactical group of specialists, tailored to each client’s needs, all guided by the same core values, mission statement and decentralized command.

Beyond his role as a top real estate agent, Justin is a successful entrepreneur, content creator, and host of the Prime People Podcast, where he dives into the intersection of real estate, entrepreneurship and personal development. His work is a blend of sharp business acumen and creative storytelling, leveraging the latest in technology and social media to reach and engage a global audience.

Kelley Skar

Kelley is a second-generation realtor, Max/Recruit real estate coach and real estate trainer with a proven track record, as well as an international speaker.

He knew early on in life that he was going to be an educator. Kelley started in university with the goal of becoming a high school teacher; however, life took him in a different direction. His passion for learning and educating has never left and as a result, he’s a dedicated learner and a student of history, business and life. His passion lies in high-level discussion around business strategies and helping agents & brokers build a bigger, better, highly profitable real estate business.

He has been married to his beautiful wife for over 17 years and they have smart, athletic and articulate 15-year-old twins. They enjoy hiking through the Okanagan, spending time at the beach and on the lake as well as travelling the continent and hopefully at some point, the globe. He loves to play golf, work out in the gym, hang out with friends and take in Green Bay Packers football games — as a huge fan.

One of his favourite quotes comes by way of Jocko Willink: “Getting better isn’t about a hack or a trick or one change that you need to make. Getting better is a campaign. It’s daily, weekly, an hourly fight. Against weakness, temptation & laziness. It’s a campaign of discipline. A campaign of hard work and dedication. It’s about getting up early, going to bed late and grinding out every second in between!”

Jess Lenouvel

Jess Lenouvel is a real estate marketing expert, founder of The Listings Lab and best-selling author of *More Money, Less Hustle: Becoming the 7-Figure Real Estate Agent.*

After spending 15 years in real estate, selling over $300 million worth of property, Jess hit a breaking point from the relentless hustle. Determined to find a better way, she dove into digital marketing and transformed her business into a scalable, sustainable model. In 2018, she founded The Listings Lab to help other agents do the same, teaching them how to market effectively and build successful, hustle-free businesses.

Tony Joe

Located in Victoria, British Columbia, Tony has been selling real estate since 1991 and has earned production awards including VREB Gold, Special Gold and President’s Awards as well as Re/Max Diamond, Circle of Legends and Western Canada Special Services Award (2009). Tony was president of the Victoria Real Estate Board in 2008 and of AREAA (the Asian Real Estate Association of America) Vancouver 2015-2019.

He’s an Instructor for the B.C. industry regulator (BC Financial Services Authority), a subject matter expert for the B.C. Real Estate Association and a certified coach for Richard Robbins International. Systems and processes allow Tony to run a hyper-productive yet small team while being massively active in his community, serving on several community boards and fundraising initiatives while balancing abundant family time and an exciting personal life. His radio show, The Whole Home Show, airs weekly on iheartradio.ca and its podcast can be found on iTunes and elsewhere.

The Leads are Sh*t

Taylor Hack

Taylor Hack is so dedicated to saving families from 3-star experiences in real estate that the team he leads, HACK&CO @ Re/Max River City, became the most-reviewed real estate team in Edmonton, Alberta on rankmyagent.com.

A passionate entrepreneur, Taylor is considered notable within the real estate industry for his creative business solutions and strategy. In less than three years, Taylor broke into the top 2 per cent of Re/Max Agents in the world and was asked to appear on stage throughout North America, featured as a Top-35-Under-35 in Real Estate Professional Magazine, and honoured as a finalist for Real Estate Innovator of the Year by Inman.

As a dedicated team leader, Taylor has helped HACK&Co teammates achieve rare experiences in real estate that are hallmarks of performance, such as making million-dollar listings and Top Teammate rankings and becoming strong providers for their families.

Andrew Fogliato

Andrew Fogliato has been in the real estate industry since you still had to physically print out six copies of an offer plus a clean one for the lawyer when the deal was done.

He’s worked as an agent, a trainer for one of the big brands, a proptech consultant, a marketer, a speaker and more.

Now he owns Just Sell Homes, a real estate marketing agency specializing in helping realtors grow their business, and RealEstateMagazine.ca, the premier news source for Canadian realtors.

Learn more or get your tickets for the Sept. 12th event.

On September 12th, real estate professionals from across the country will come together for a virtual conference unlike any other. It’s your chance to grow your business, learn from the industry’s best and support a cause that touches the hearts of many.

Bruce Johnson is on a mission. Over the years, Bruce has raised almost $900,000 for the SickKids Foundation, helping fund the world-class care and groundbreaking research that SickKids is known for. But now, Bruce is facing his toughest battle yet: stage 4 lung cancer. Despite this, his goal is clear — to reach $1 million for SickKids.

Why you should attend

Not only will you walk away with practical insights to drive your business forward, but 100 per cent of your ticket purchase goes directly toward Bruce’s incredible cause. This is your chance to learn, grow and give back in a meaningful way.

We’ve lined up top-tier speakers who will deliver actionable strategies for success in today’s real estate market. And as a bonus, everyone who attends will receive exclusive offers and resources to help take their business to the next level.

The virtual event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT on September 12th, giving you plenty of time to soak in the knowledge and connect with other like-minded professionals.

Here’s how you can make an even bigger impact

For those who want to do more, we’ve got something special. If you donate at least $500, you’ll get a private 1:1 session with one of our expert speakers. Whether it’s a consulting call or a training session for your team, this is an exclusive opportunity to get personalized advice that will take your business to new heights.

Why this cause matters

For Bruce, the journey to raise $1 million is personal. It’s a cause that hits close to home, and we’re all rallying behind him to help get there. Every dollar raised during this virtual conference will go directly to SickKids, ensuring that the hospital can continue its life-saving work.

Bruce has been a fixture in the real estate world for decades, and now is our chance to give back to someone who has given so much to our community.

How to register

Tickets are just $20, and it’s all going to an incredible cause. Visit Real Estate Magazine to grab your spot today. Together, we can help Bruce hit his $1 million goal and make a real difference for kids in need.

This September 12, be a part of something bigger. Get your ticket and join us for a day of learning, growth and giving back. Bruce’s mission is nearing its final chapter, and your support will help write a story of hope, resilience and generosity.

Sign up now and help us make history.

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.

Realtorscare.ca

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.

Realtorscare.ca

“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

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 Fraser Valley Realtors Charitable Foundation (FVRCF) commends Chris Shields and Rob Christensen for contributing countless hours serving as volunteers for the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB).

First to sign up for Donate per Deal

FVRCF launched Donate per Deal, a new fundraising initiative, and Shields and Christensen were the first realtors to sign up.

The program allows realtors to have a donation deducted from every real estate transaction or “deal” they make. Donations are collected by their offices and submitted directly to the FVRCF.

“Realtors are incredibly generous, but they’re also very busy and their income can fluctuate greatly from month to month. Donate per Deal allows a Fraser Valley realtor to easily make a regular contribution to their foundation,” says Chris Hodson, executive director of the FVRCF.

Fraser Valley realtors encouraged to talk to their managing broker

Shields is a past president of the FVREB and chairs the board development committee, while Christensen is a current FVREB director and, since 2019, has been teaching the new member orientation course for new realtors. FVREB also reports that the pair give back to several community organizations, particularly for youth.

“We encourage FVREB members to do whatever they can in support of the FVRCF,” Shields and Christensen express. “Ask your managing broker about how you and your office can support the Donate per Deal program, volunteer and get involved.”

As a symbol of thanks, all realtors who sign up for the program receive a real estate sign rider from the FVRCF.

Learn more about Donate per Deal and the FVRCF here.

Photo: Chris Shields and Rob Christensen (source: FVRCF.ca)

On March 19, the Chatham-Kent Association of Realtors (CKAR) hosted its second annual Realtors Rock Event, in support of R.O.C.K. Missions, a local outreach not-for-profit in Chatham-Kent.

Live music and karaoke

CKAR describes the evening as “a resounding success”. It featured musical performances by local realtors, headlined by the Courtney Wells Band. Karaoke Bob facilitated a karaoke session as well, so all attendees could take part.

Over $2,700 raised for local outreach

Donations totalling over $2,700 arrived throughout the night, both at the door and from event sponsors. CKAR extends its gratitude to Langford Law, Couper Home Inspection, Dimples Decor, Integrity Pro Home Inspections, Agent Book and Revel Realty Inc. for their support.

Committed to continuing the annual tradition

Carrie Patrick, president of CKAR, was very pleased with the turnout. “It was an amazing turnout, and this is most definitely something we want to keep doing year to year,” she remarks.

Earlier this month, a group of realtors from Greater Vancouver hosted a gala that raised $52,000 to support Camp Choice BC and its August camp funding.

Over 260 realtors were in attendance at Vancouver’s Italian Cultural Centre, including the CEO of Greater Vancouver Realtors (GVR), Jeff King, and the CEO of the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA), Trevor Koot.

Gala highlights

The annual Camp Choice Gala is a cornerstone event for the organization’s fundraising. It includes sharing stories, hearing testimonials and seeing performances from teens who attended the camp and participating in a silent auction with a live auctioneer.

It was this auction that was the “standout” moment of the night, according to Phil Moore, vice chair, event organizer, facilitator and mentor at Camp Choice BC: “Myself, John Patricelli and Juliana Vallee offered four hours of (chores or) cleaning services, raising over $20,000.

These efforts are vital, as they ensure we can offer this life-changing experience to 50 to 60 youth without turning anyone away due to financial barriers.”

Phil Moore, Trevor Koot (BCREA) and Jeff King (GVR)

Vallee, who has been a part of the organization for the past two and half years and now sits on the board of directors, notes the bids started at $200 and jumped by the hundreds and then into the thousands. “Finally, a business owner jumped up and bid $20,000 which translates to sending approximately 20 youth to the camp,” she highlights. 

The leadership camp experience

Each year, the group fundraises (about $50,000-$70,000) for and hosts a one-week camp at Zajac Ranch in Mission, B.C., welcoming 50-60 youth facing challenges such as substance abuse, self-harm and underprivilege.

Every dollar is spent to maximize the positive impact on the youth served, ensuring they receive the full benefit of their experience at Camp Choice BC.

As facilitators and mentors, Moore, Patricelli and Vallee lead various sessions, providing guidance and support to both attendees and volunteer youth coaches. The program is designed to empower, inspire and transform, helping participants see beyond their current circumstances.

Each day is wrapped up with workshops and fun activities that bring out self-growth, powerful messages and opportunities to connect with others.

“These individuals have unique life situations and stories. Most of their experiences up to now have built in them emotional and rational processes that have not been serving them to choose well or receive all possible opportunities in life. There are levels of challenges they have had to face,” Patricelli, Camp Choice’s president and lead workshop facilitator, explains. “It’s about exploring their thinking process (and) opening up if they feel comfortable.”

At the end of the week, the team observes how participants have connected with each other. “In a short period of time, we notice a lightness to their smiles, a confidence we didn’t see before and a desire to return as well as continue growth. They have fun, meet new friends and build bonds that last,” says Patricelli.

Vallee agrees: “(It) allows kids to be kids and brings out and pushes them to be the best they can be. Youth come out of the camp inspired and empowered. Many who have attended stated that because of this camp, their lives have changed.”

She explains that not only are relationships built during the camp between the youth and coaches, but the relationship, mentorship and follow-up with the youth continue after it’s over.

The trio’s inspiration

Moore’s background with the Vancouver Police Department, particularly admiring the school liaison program, laid the foundation for his commitment to supporting youth at risk. “Discovering a program through PSI Seminars that brought leadership opportunities to young people from Oakland to a ranch in Napa Valley sparked the idea for Camp Choice BC.”

Patricelli describes himself as “someone whose youth (went from being) filled with wrong choices and living consequences of those choices to experiencing the power of redemption from personal mistakes … learning that at any moment one can make a choice that will also lead to success and better relationships with others.” He says this — and the higher calling he felt — is why he decided to get involved with Camp Choice.

So, alongside Patricelli and with Vallee on the board of directors, “(We) aimed to create a similar beacon of hope and leadership for youth in British Columbia,” Moore recalls.

About Camp Choice

Camp Choice was first founded in San Francisco a few years before it came to B.C. in 2016. “Over the last eight (years), the Camp Choice vision has maintained strong and the board of directors has evolved,” Patricelli says.

Camp Choice started as a non-profit organization and hosted its first leadership youth camp in 2017. After more growth and awareness, elevated fundraising (and the ability to provide tax receipts) became more essential to attract larger donations — which primarily come from realtors — it was registered as a charity in 2019.

About this year’s event and overall, Moore says, “We’re deeply grateful for the support from the realtor community, which has been instrumental in our ability to make a difference in these young lives. It should be noted that many of our volunteer camp counselors are realtors. We look forward to continuing this work, inspired by the transformations we witness each year.”

Learn more about Camp Choice BC here.

Last November, 115 Royal LePage professionals from across Canada signed up for the company’s Challenge for Shelter trekking fundraiser, this time in Ecuador.

The biannual fundraiser supports local women’s shelters and national domestic violence prevention programs. The challenge involved five days of hiking the Andes Mountains and tent camping at high altitudes.

REM chatted with two participants, Jana Koster and Tina Lynch of Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty, about their experience.

Tell me about why you participated — what inspired you?

JK: I have always been a supporter of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation but during COVID, the need for support was so much greater. The result of people staying home from work and school due to the pandemic meant that women and children were confined to their homes with their abusers while stress levels were at an all-time high.

This was my second trek; my first was two years ago when we hiked the Purcell Mountains in British Columbia. When the Shelter Foundation announced that they were still going to do a trek in 2020 but it was going to have to be within Canada due to travel restrictions, I knew that it was my time to step up and take part.

TL: I love being in the mountains and out for an adventure, so that paired with doing something that benefited my community seemed like an automatic my-hand-is-up kind of moment for me.  

We were lucky to have been brought up in a loving and supportive family, but my dad had a different upbringing and I wish there had been more options for him and his family when they were young. So, I like working towards initiatives that open up the possibilities for women and families.

Any hesitations?

TL: The two hesitations I had were 1) how the heck was I going to fundraise and meet the minimum, as I live in a small community (5,000 residents) and there are so many worthy organizations that also need the funds, and 2) how was I going to manage being in a new setting knowing no one? As a person with anxiety, this may have intimidated me the most. I was literally so anxious that I was throwing up just before getting on the plane.

But, as soon as I arrived in Ecuador and messaged with “group 1” through WhatsApp, I felt such a relief — I was with great people who were focused on doing a positive thing to help bring change. There was nothing to worry about. It’s just the fear of the unknown.

Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty realtors raised nearly $29,000. What was this put towards? How did fundraising go for you?

JK: Royal LePage covers all administrative costs associated with the Foundation, so 100 per cent of the money raised goes to shelters and education. I raised $12,473.50 — 80 per cent of what we raise stays in our local community and is donated to our local shelter in Nanaimo, Haven Society, while the balance is used for national education initiatives.

TL: Additionally, there are a number of realtors that donate a portion of each commission they earn, though this isn’t calculated in the $1.7 million total raised from this trek.

My mom and sister, who had started our family real estate business on Gabriola Island, helped me knit toques as part of our fundraiser. I was amazed at how successful the fundraiser was; it was a nice way for them to contribute, too.

I also had a lot of support from local businesses that got a spot for their logos on my training gear. Many friends and family showed up to train, usually up the hills with weighted backpacks and sometimes as early as 4:30 am to ensure I got the training in before work.

Tell me about the trek.

“I realized that I could talk for hours about the experience and still not convey its meaning to me.”

– Jana Koster

JK: 115 realtors took part in this trek. We were split into four groups of approximately 30 people. The first group began on November 10, and the last started on the 16th. Each trek is difficult and challenging in its own way, and Ecuador’s challenge was the altitude.

For someone who lives at sea level and has never done high-altitude hiking before, I had no idea how challenging I would find this. We began our hike at about 3,000 metres high, summited Mt. Pasochoa at 4,200 metres on our second day and then spent the next three days between 3,300 and 3,600 metres.

Mt. Pasachoa was the hardest part of the hike for me. It was an 11-hour day of hiking in the sun, rain and even some hail. I had a hard time breathing, as it felt like I could never get my lungs full of air. Thankfully, other than some dizziness I didn’t suffer from altitude sickness.

The terrain for the rest of the trip was much easier, but I felt the cumulative effects of the altitude, lack of sleep, cold weather and rain, plus each day was harder than the last to keep going and keep our spirits up.

An interesting thing at that altitude was the extreme change in weather. We would wake up to 3-4 degree temperatures, with everything damp from overnight rain, and be hiking in the afternoon in 25-degree sunny skies, where our SPF 50 sunscreen could barely protect us. Then, around 3:00 pm the clouds would roll in and we would get rain (sometimes for an hour, sometimes all night). One night, it dropped below zero and we woke to a frozen camp.

Photo credit: Jana Koster

What did you get most out of the whole experience?

JK: Each day we would hear a story from someone touched by domestic violence. These stories came from our colleagues on the hike. To me, it highlighted the fact that we never know what someone has gone through or is going through in their lives and how domestic violence is closer than many of us know.

Thankfully, most of these stories had a positive ending, thanks to shelters, support and counselling, but the need is great! I was touched to be a part of this amazing trek.

Photo credit: Tina Lynch

TL: I thought about the women and families and what strength they need to face the unknown, whether they’re in an abusive situation or trying to leave one. As Jana said, the letters being read out were such an emotional experience, one that weighed heavy on your heart.

It’s easy to feel insignificant in your efforts and to wonder if you can make a difference, but you really can by showing up to a challenge.

I wasn’t sure if I could raise the $6,000 minimum we needed to fundraise to do the trek, but I almost doubled that amount, and when you look at us as a whole, $1.7 million is a significant amount that can create effective change. I also think it raises awareness and support for the women in abusive situations and the shelters that support them, so it’s a compounding effect.

“I am really proud to be part of a company that cares about people — they really do from the top, down.”

– Tina Lynch

Photo source: Tina Lynch and Jana Koster

With the exorbitant housing prices in Toronto, home ownership is unattainable for many — the 2023 UBS Global Real Estate Bubble Index found the average Ontarian needs to save for nearly 20 years to have enough for a down payment.

With this and the holiday season in mind, last month FUSE Create set out to raise awareness and funds for the issue through its “Gingerbread House-ing Crisis”. The team collected donations for Mainstay Housing, the city’s largest non-profit housing agency.

A single square-foot gingerbread house

The agency built a 1:1 scale model of a typical Toronto home entirely of gingerbread. Measuring one square foot, the “home” is listed on real estate sites for $1,000: the average price of one square foot of real estate in Toronto.

“Gingerbread houses connote feelings of warmth and comfort – something a lot of people are struggling to find in this city’s housing market,” says Linda Carte, creative director at FUSE Create. “Taking such a well-known holiday symbol and using it to illustrate the reality of 2023 is a stark commentary on where this city and country are struggling. We want to support the innovation that Mainstay Housing is incubating for future homeowners.”

The results

Mainstay Housing reports that about $4,300 was raised for the cause. The agency says that the campaign “created awareness of homelessness in our city and the cost of housing, as well as raised the profile of Houselink and Mainstay Community Housing … It had an impact.

The biggest win for us was that you actively raised issues around housing costs and homelessness with a much wider audience than we would normally reach.”

The house is currently listed on Kijiji and FC Realty’s business pages.