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.

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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

Becoming a homeowner is a significant achievement in a person’s life. They save money for years, hoping to own a house, a condo or another form of primary residence. 

In recent years, this milestone has become more challenging for Canadians. According to Statistics Canada, the housing price index increased from 103.4 in January 2020 to 125.2 in January 2023. 

Earlier this year, the government unveiled a tax-free First Home Savings Account to assist those trying to buy their first home. However, for over a decade, non-profits have led the charge to help families afford housing.

In Halifax, Nova Scotia, real estate advisor Brenda MacKenzie makes a difference by providing tangible change for local families. Her organization, A Home for Everyone, raised over $200,000 for local organizations between 2011 and 2018. Today, the non-profit continues its work as A Home for Everyone, and its goal of helping Canadians buy homes hasn’t changed.

How does MacKenzie affect change in her community? How does A Home for Everyone raise money and achieve community support? Here’s her story and what the organization has planned for the future.

Finding inspiration

MacKenzie founded A Home for Everyone in 2011, but she’s been helping her community for nearly four decades. The inspiration for her organization came in 2000, thanks to a powerful speech. 

She travelled to Mexico with her friend, Martin Rutte, author of “Project Heaven on Earth” and co-author of “Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work.” At the conference, a keynote speech helped MacKenzie realize she could make a difference. 

“If we all put our mind to it, we can all do something,” MacKenzie says. “So, if you had a magic wand and you could just wave your magic wand and cure something in the world and make it right, what would you want to change?

And I said, homelessness.”

From this point, MacKenzie started her journey that continues today. She involved her company to help people through the business instead of donating to charities. 

This initiative became known as A Home for Everyone until 2018. In 2019, MacKenzie registered A Home for Everyone after joining Engel & Völkers, where she continues her journey to solve the housing crisis.

Drawing from experience

While Canada’s housing crisis is a significant concern for MacKenzie, she has faced other battles in her personal life. These experiences have shaped her worldview and inspired her to help others. 

MacKenzie and her family members have suffered from polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Fortunately, she received a transplant a couple of years ago. This experience overlaps with her vision to end homelessness. 

“I vowed the same thing as I vow with homelessness,” MacKenzie says. “I vowed when I got my transplant and when I was on dialysis that I was going to be an advocate. We need to be advocates for others.”

MacKenzie advocates for others with the disease through the PKD Foundation. She co-founded the organization’s Halifax chapter and is one of the coordinators. MacKenzie says the foundation spreads awareness, discusses the disease and supports those along their journeys.

Spreading a vision

Helping people afford housing doesn’t come cheap. It takes a village to accumulate funds and spread the vision of ending homelessness. 

A Home for Everyone as a society relies on sponsors like Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia and CUA banking. Organizations ask their employees to contribute to the cause, and some funds come from real estate agents. 

Instead of sales pitches, MacKenzie focuses on action because it goes a long way in proving how the organization makes a difference. 

“It’s about telling a story,” MacKenzie says. “As one person, we can make a change. And as a group, we can make a bigger change. Just think if all of us come together.”

MacKenzie repeats the question she heard in Mexico over 20 years ago: What would someone do if they could wave a magic wand and have a wish granted? This impactful approach has helped her gather community support despite the tough times for homebuyers. 

“If you can actually show people how you are making a difference, other people will get on board because they can see the change,” MacKenzie says. “They’re taking commissions and putting it into this pot. And then, they’re putting a family into a home where they might never be able to do that.”

Tackling modern housing costs

Housing costs have risen worldwide, and Halifax is not an exception. Home prices have continued to climb, with Re/Max reporting a 2.1 per cent increase in average sale price between 2022 and 2023. 

Houses that many deem as starter homes have become unaffordable for first-time buyers and families struggling financially. The increasing prices have made it more challenging for MacKenzie and A Home for Everyone as a society to move forward.

“The pricing has gone up on everything,” MacKenzie says. “The price we were used to be able to deal with is now a different price.

And then we’ve got competing offers — so, if you’ve got a low-end product, you’ve got more than one offer. We have to compete, so that’s hard.”

A Home for Everyone as a society aims to assist families by covering a 5 per cent down payment, closing costs, inspection fees, lawyer fees and, occasionally, minor repairs. 

The high costs lead the non-profit organization to tap into its community support. Halifax’s generosity shows when people step up and offer families free services.

Electricians, plumbers and lawyers in the area offer services pro bono to reduce the financial strain on the organization and the families. This donated time helps A Home for Everyone assist more families in Halifax and grow their impact.

“That’s where we’re able to really tap into the community and also through the support because the family needs to have a support system,” MacKenzie says. “We won’t arrange a host purchase and leave them on their own. We want a support system in place, which is usually a charity or a church or a family that knows the family and that’s going to work with them.”

Feeling ambitious for the future 

MacKenzie and her non-profit organization have helped families in Halifax and across Nova Scotia. However, they see more work is necessary across Canada.

While expansion might take some time, there are ambitions to work with more companies in other provinces. For now, A Home for Everyone works with others in Cape Breton, Yarmouth and different sections of Nova Scotia.

The organization’s goal is to house four families in 2023. MacKenzie says it’s close to hitting the mark and achieving it by early 2024.

“I feel like, then, we can go to other companies within Halifax and say ‘this is what we’ve done’.”

The organization has worked hard over the years, but MacKenzie sees growth opportunities. Her office has a board, envisioning what the future looks like. Some possibilities include registering as a charity or hiring a full-time executive director. These opportunities would increase the group’s influence and further impact the community.

Influencing change

Homelessness is challenging to solve, so the average person might be pessimistic about what they can do as an individual. However, MacKenzie says nobody should feel too small or downplay their capabilities. 

“I think people need to get out of their head in terms of ‘it’s too big’ because it’s not too big,” Mackenzie says. “It all starts, again, one person, one idea.” 

Another example of realtors lending a helping hand is through Kindness Above Everything. Mary Johnson, sales representative and vice president of StreetCity Realty Inc., established this non-profit organization in London, Ontario. 

The organization assists single-income families with mortgage payments and donates newborn supplies to safe homes. It also helps students in after-school programs by bringing food and supplies to areas with lower income. 

Addressing homelessness is critical in London, considering the city’s unhoused population. CTV News says London has about 2,000 unhoused people which includes 600 high-needs individuals who live in tents. 

The work of Johnson and other real estate professionals across Canada demonstrates how effective coordination and advocacy can be in addressing the homeless crisis. 

Starting a similar group in other regions of Canada is possible through hard work, patience and dedication to serving the community. Small businesses, contractors, real estate agents and others can help families needing assistance as a token of generosity and an opportunity for brand-building.

While good deeds are the focal point of philanthropy, brokerages discover benefits from helping the unhoused, as MacKenzie and Johnson have. Brokerages build relationships within the community, boost employee morale and stand out among competitors when participating in these housing initiatives.

Non-profit organizations helping the unhoused will grow this decade as more brokerages and realtors engage with their communities and reap the benefits of philanthropy. Housing families is fundamental for setting them and their communities up for success, and there is plenty of opportunity for realtors and other industry professionals to pitch in.

Renfrew County Real Estate Board (RCREB) held its 19th annual charity golf tournament this summer, and it was wildly successful.

The event, held at the Pembroke Golf Club on August 23, was a great time for realtors and sponsors, and it raised $36,299.55.

Local charities supported

Four local charities receiving funds this year include Pembroke Regional Hospital Foundation ($10,000), BGC Renfrew County ($8,766.52), CRC – Game On! Youth Activity Program ($8,766.52) and TAP Renfrew ($8,766.52).

Very proud

RCREB is very proud of its realtors for their generosity and efforts in finding other sponsors to make the event possible and support the needs of the surrounding community.

The third annual ‘Fight Like a Girl’ fundraiser was recently hosted by Sue McLay with Royal LePage Your Community Realty in Vaughan, ON. The event successfully raised $8,500, which will go to Yellow Brick House through the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation.

The female-focused self-defense class was hosted by Northern Karate Schools and led by McLay, who used to teach karate, and three female instructors. There were 36 participants, all girls and women ranging from 6 to 60 years old.

Inspired to help women

McLay says, “When I was young, I was very shy, and karate classes really brought me out of my shell. Later on, when starting my career in real estate, I saw how valuable the skills I learned were. I often work after dark, accessing lock boxes behind condo buildings and parking in poorly lit underground garages in big cities. Knowing I can protect myself allows me to walk confidently through my day.”

Supporting her local women’s shelter came naturally, as McLay formed ‘Fight Like a Girl’ after learning that many women – regardless of their profession or environment – are often very aware of danger. The event aims to help women avoid unsafe situations and confidently navigate the world around them.

Everyone deserves to feel safe

McLay expresses her strong belief, “Everyone deserves to feel safe – whether they are walking alone at night or in their own home.” She says, “Unfortunately, we know that far too many women are most afraid when they are returning home to an abusive partner. Helping these women find a safe way forward is so important for me.”