In every real estate office across Canada, there’s always a REALTOR® willing to lend a helping hand to those who need it most. This helping hand takes many forms. It could be volunteering at the local shelter to provide comfort to those experiencing homelessness, or they could be fighting food insecurity by giving their time at the local foodbank, or even providing guidance and support to at-risk youth.
REALTORS® give back to their communities in countless ways and more often than not, do it quietly, behind the scenes. Now’s your opportunity to give a REALTOR® from your community the recognition they deserve.
For the eighth year, CREA is proudly calling for nominations for the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award.
More from CREA Café:
- Canadian REALTORS Care® Award: REALTOR® Lorna Hamm Lives to Give Back
- How REALTOR® Gregg Bamford Became a Community Leader, One Step at a Time
- How REALTOR® Ron Antalek Stood Up for Mental Health in His Community
- REALTORS Care®: Geoff and Regan Archambault’s Journey to Kenya and Back with K.I.D.S. Initiative
Launched in 2016, the national award celebrates REALTORS® whose charitable accomplishments have left a lasting impact and inspire others. Last year, 47 REALTORS® across Canada were recognized with nominations.
We’re looking for uplifting stories of the REALTORS® who do the most for their fellow community members.
How to submit a nomination
Those interested in submitting a nomination may do so at REALTORSCare.ca. Any CREA member in good standing, who aren’t members of our Board of Directors or Environmental, Social, and Governance Committee, can be nominated.
What you’ll need:
- fill out the nomination form;
- include a complete history of their charitable work;
- include at least one letter of recommendation; and
- add supporting documentation such as media coverage, photographs and social media posts.
You’ll need to complete the nomination form by providing a history of the charitable work and highlighting the positive difference your nominee is making in the community.
If you plan on submitting a nomination, try your best to paint the full picture; if you know of one or two charitable activities your nominee is involved in, chances are there’s more. Talk to others around your nominee, including those they volunteer with, to see if there are other engagements you’re missing. This will help ensure you have the most complete nomination package possible. Each of our past recipients (highlighted below) got involved in their communities on a multitude of levels.
Alongside the nomination form, you’ll need to submit at least one letter of recommendation from the past year, from a representative of a registered charity supported by the nominee. While not required, it’s never a bad idea to attempt to gather more than one letter. It’s a great opportunity to hear from multiple voices in your nomination package, which can help build your nominee’s credibility.
Your nomination package will 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. If you’re having trouble finding supporting documentation, try reaching out to the charities supported by your nominee to see if they have anything. Charities are always looking for opportunities to highlight and show gratitude for their most dedicated volunteers. Again, having multiple, high-quality pieces of supporting documentation can help your nomination package.
The winner of the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award will be revealed during CREA’s Annual General Meeting in April 2023. The winner and a guest, will be flown into Ottawa, where they’ll be handed the award on-stage in front of hundreds of their peers. Their inspirational story will also be shared nationwide in celebration of the remarkable commitment they’ve made to their community. CREA will also donate $5,000 to the recipient’s charity of choice in their honour.
Past recipients
Past recipients of the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award have all made substantial impacts in their own, unique way:
Lorna Hamm (2022) has dedicated the last 50 years to improving the lives of others in Calgary, Alberta, through volunteering for countless charitable initiatives, many centered on children’s health and wellbeing.
Gregg Bamford (2021) is an experienced volunteer, whose enthusiasm for bettering the lives of others in his community of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan inspired him to create One Small Step, an online platform that shares the real-time needs of non-profits with potential donors.
Ron Antalek (2020) used his leadership and philanthropic efforts to help transform mental health services in his community of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, through the creation of the Antalek Family Psychiatric Unit at Ridge Meadows Hospital.
Geoff and Regan Archambault (2019) are board leaders and community builders who have made an indelible impact on many local Winnipeg, Manitoba charities, including the Concordia Foundation and K.I.D.S. (Kenya Initiative for Development and Sustainability Inc.).
Carolyn Swinson (2018) of Toronto, Ontario turned personal tragedy into a legacy of helping others and advocating for safer roads across the country as a long-time volunteer with MADD Canada.
Laura-Leah Shaw (2017) is a passionate animal rights advocate and a tireless volunteer who hand-delivers food and other goods to those in need in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Vince Mirabelli (2016) raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities close to his heart and made a positive impact on the lives of children and families in his hometown of Thunder Bay, Ontario.
CREA is accepting nominations for the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2023 Proudly Presented by REALTOR.ca until December 2. More information on the award, as well as the nomination form, can be found on REALTORSCare.ca.
CREA’s REALTORS Care® team is also available to answer questions and can be reached at REALTORSCare@crea.ca.
