Realtors raise $250,000 in 10 years of motorcycle riding

A group of motorcycle-riding Realtors burned out of the Ontario Real Estate Association’s parking lot today in support of the 10^th annual Motorcycle Ride for Charity. Riders will be travelling to Ottawa – with stops along the way in Durham, Peterborough and Smiths Falls – to help raise funds for the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation, which supports shelter-based charitable organizations across Ontario.

“What started as a summertime joyride for a group of Realtors with a fondness for motorcycle 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 share an interest in helping people achieve home ownership and building strong and stable communities that benefit the greater society,” says Pat Verge, president of OREA. “This appreciation for community and the desire to give back were the inspirations for the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation being created in 1967.”

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 REALTORS Care Foundation and Motorcycle Ride for Charity, visit www.realtorscareontario.ca.

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.