RE/MAX Hallmark Blog

Another Garden Hose

There is one particular Home Hardware store I frequent. Many times I drop in for no specific purpose but my walk through the aisles always fills my arms with stuff. Often I have to start over with a cart. I end up buying all sorts of stuff. Important stuff. I must have three different makes of garden hose - plan on going back again today to get another one. Good material for a yard sale but expensive. 

Each time I visit the store, there is usually a group or someone grabbing my attention at the store entrance. Depending on the time of day and time of year it could be the Salvation Army asking for donations, Cadets, various sport teams asking for help with an upcoming trip. Occasionally there is a homeless person asking for help.

Often I try not to make eye contact, I am on a mission of importance. I justify my way of being by telling myself I contribute so much through my work and therefore I'm good. Sometimes I resent having to be exposed to the endless requests. I just want to get into the store. I don't want to have to be reminded that others need help. 

Sometimes I wonder if others think the way I do. Does the "store" know if having a "charity" at their front entrance greeting people with  a smile and request for help bothers people. Do people like me have a good feeling about the store for "allowing" this to happen or are others annoyed at the intrusion? I don't know.

We all have choices. We can choose to make a difference in the communities we all live in. The difference may be in the form of volunteer work, exposure to a cause and certainly money. We can also choose to do nothing.

So where am I going with this? 

At Hallmark we make it part of who we are as a company to be engaged in the communities in which we live. We believe we cannot just be bystanders in our neighbourhoods - we need to and desire to make a difference. Sometimes we do that as a group by building a house for Habitat. We help a student with their education. We feed a child breakfast on a school day. 

Sometimes we give money to a homeless person in front of a Home Hardware Store, again and again. Doing one thing as an individual or the company supporting  one worthy cause doesn't get us off the hook of supporting something else or someone else. 

When I go to Home Hardware in the future, I will not avoid making eye contact. My support doesn't always have to be in the form of money, sometimes an acknowledgement or a word of encouragement goes a long way.

Or I may give them $20 to go along with the smile and words of encouragement. 

 

 

Our upcoming involvement with Habitat for Humanity - Toronto

Last week I received a call from Cherisse Agresti and Sherry Collis, two fantastic agents from our Mt. Pleasant branch. "Ken - we need to get involved with Habitat for Humanity, it is a perfect blend of our company culture and so important for the communities in which we work."

 

 

 

 

I got caught up with the emotion I heard in their voices. They had just completed a Habitat for Humanity build right here in Toronto, and were clearly excited about the difference their time and efforts had made. 

We set up a meeting to get together with the coordinators of Habitat for this week - I wanted to learn more. What was it all about? 

Today we met with Angela and Stephanie from Habitat, they patiently brought us up to speed with the history of the organization, what they do, what is accomplished and why and how our involvement would make a difference. 

Homes are built throughout our neighbourhoods to help those who are without. It is not a hand out - but a partnership between Habitat and the new home owners. Habitat for Humanity does all the work in finding the land, organizing the trades, getting City Building Department approvals, gathering volunteers and finally building the family home. The new home owners take on the responsibility of paying back the cost of the build (interest free) and have to contribute hundreds of hours of community service back. They are counted on to "pay it forward."

Currently there is such a need for new builds that the organization has not been able to take on new applicants since last year. 

Sounds like a perfect match, RE/MAX Hallmark realtors and clients helping families in need with their family home. Now I was excited and engaged.

Watch for more to come in regards to our commitment to Habitat for Humanity in the GTA.

It feels good to make a difference

Do people and organizations give back to communities because they want to make a difference or because of the feeling it creates in doing so? Perhaps a combination of both?

I do know is that everyone is different and everyone does what they do in the communities in which they/we serve for many reasons.

We need to make a difference. But why?

For me, I never wanted to have a company that just served clients for their business needs. I viewed it as too sterile, perhaps a crass. Without standing for something other than our business needs lacks emotion, energy and a purpose. I wanted to be involved in a company that added more, made a difference, created something other than the incredible value we offer to our consumers with our business services.

Our company platform states, in part,  that we are not bystanders in the communities in which we serve. Helping Sick Kids, Breakfast for Kids, Big Brothers, Yard Sale for the Cure, and numerous other organizations, and families, big and small does make a difference. Our Scholorship programs for post secondary education has helped many students along the way. 

 

So, do we do it because it is important or because it makes us feel good? I think a bit of both. Making a difference and helping out others is what we do, because it is necessary as good corporate citizens and because it makes us all personally feel better. Has it helped grow our business? Maybe - but more important, it is the right thing to do because we are able, and it helps those who need the help.

Last night, John Kennedy or "Johnny Angel" as many call him once again organized an event in support of Big Brothers. I really don't know why John is so intent on helping BIg Brothers, but he is and that is all that matters. Big Brothers needs his and our support, it is necessary. Last night, under John's leadership over $40,000 was raised - every penny will make a difference and I am sure the involvement by everyone made a difference personally. It's the feel good factor which drives us.

So today, I salute "Johnny Angel" and so many others for the work they do to help so many. For the feeling they get in doing so and for the inspiration they provide for all of us.

 

 

Put me down as undecided for now

In case you haven't noticed, the GTA is in the final stages of a municipal election. By usual Ontario election norms, this election campaign is drawing more attention than usual. While I don't usually comment on political issues, this time around I can't resist.

I want to focus on the Toronto mayor race, since it is most interesting to me.

It appears to me for the first time in many campaigns, we have clear differences in the candidates being offered. The tax cutting, more efficient promising and simple platform of Rob Ford, versus anyone but Ford in the form of Smitherman. I'm not so sure what Smitherman is really all about except more of the same and a promise not to be Ford. 

Ford is scaring a lot of people. He comes across as your obnoxious family member, the one you put up with but really wouldn't hang out with if he wasn't related to you. Ford has become popular because he has figured out the trigger with many of the voters. Time to be accountable for tax dollars, and a promise to run city hall more efficiently. He has built his platform more around what he won't do rather than what he will do.

Smitherman has a past as an Ontario member of government. He seems to be a viable alternative to Ford in that he won't shake things up too much and promises to be progressive in his works. He is the family member we all like are not too sure of.

Smitherman has a clear idea of what he wants our city to look like moving forward. More of the same, but with a better management style. Ford also has a clear idea. Less of the same and a ruthless management style. 

Ford has put forward a promise which is drawing attention from our real estate industry, elimation of the dreaded Land Transfer Tax on housing purchases. For that promises, I believe he needs our attention. Can he deliver on his promise ? Not really sure if he can but it certainly is a good platform for him to promote in this election. Will the election of Ford hurt our city ? I don't think so since most of what really happens in our city centres around the council members. Ford might put forward a rougher image of who we really are as a city, but he can be put in the corner by his handlers. But he does scare me just a bit.

Smitherman is a smart man, a political veteran with experience. But is he offering more of the same moving forward ? And do we really want more of the same ? 

So election day is fast approaching - and we really do have a choice of different candidates. I am not advocating either one and I still don't know who I will vote for - put me down as undecided for now. 

 

Run for the Cure

Up bright and early Sunday morning to make a difference. Today in Toronto, over 20,000 participants took part in the annual CIBC Run for the Cure which started at Toronto City Hall. This event, and many others held throughout the year, raises money to help find the cure for breast cancer. RE/MAX Hallmark had many agents , family members and staff participating today. In total, more than $20,000 was raised to make a difference. Congratulations!! Here are some photos taken today:

 

 

  

 

 

 

15 Year Old Making A Difference

 

Our RE/MAX Hallmark Scholarship Program has been in place for a few years now. The purpose of the program is to assist post secondary children of clients (past and present) of our realtors by helping fund their first year of education. A committee of RE/MAX Hallmark realtors meticulously goes through the many applications sponsored by realtors in our company. To date we have donated more than $25,000 in total and have helped many young adults get a good start with their university education. The selection committee takes into account their academic qualifications, but puts a major emphasis on community work and involvement.

I mention all of this because I received an email today from one of the brothers of a boy who we awarded a scholarship to several years ago. His brother Darren has asked me to assist him with some of his charity work he does. Apparently Darren is quite a busy guy for a 15 year old. He established a charitable cause called KIDPACKS which has raised over a $1,000,000.00 in donated school supplies which they packed into 10,000 backpacks for needy kids in Toronto. Last year Darren started a new organization called Kids Against Canadian Hunger to raise money for Food Banks Canada.Darren says he does all kinds of other stuff to help people too. His initiative is inspiring and spirit infectious.

Because of his charity work, Darren was a finalist in Free the Children's Me to We competition this year. Each year this group do summer trips to poor parts of the world for kids like him to help out by volunteering. Darren would like to go to India or China with the hope of learning more about the world, and about helping people here in Canada. He says he has already proven that he can accomplish things for other people, and the more experience he gets, the better Canadian adult he can be.

Check out his website and learn more about Darren, he is an amazing 15 year old. Our future is in good hands in Canada with young people like Darren.

Woodgreen Community Services

I think it was this time last year, when Colleen Gray  of our Riverdale Branch first "formerly" introduced Woodgreen Community Services to me. I say "formerly" because I had heard of Woodgreen over the years, but really didn't know much about the work which was done through this organization. Last year, Colleen asked me if we could be a sponsor for the Woodgreen Golf Tournament which we did. This year, Colleen pushed the envelope a bit further. Last night she invited me down to one of the locations for a tour of the facilities and an introduction to what Woodgreen really does in our community.

Woodgreen was founded in 1937 in East Toronto and has grown to 20 locations helping 37,000 individuals and families across Toronto every year. They offer a comprehensive range of services that address the essentials for those in our communities who are the most vulnerable and marginalized. Whatever is needed in the community, they figure out a way to provide it with partners.

This year, RE/MAX Hallmark has taken on the obligation of being the core sponsor for their golf tournament which is being held at the end of June. More details will follow, but the small bit we are doing will help Woodgreen fulfill the growing need they have to make a difference in the community.

I was very impressed.

Queen Street West Fire

Michele and Gordon Chan are sales representatives with our firm, working out of our Mount Pleasant office. I have had the privilege of knowing both of them for many years, first working with them when we were at Terry Martel Real Estate on the Danforth, back in the old days.

Michele and Gordon live in the Queen Street W area, close to where the big fire was last week. They sent along these photos of the fire and these thoughts:                         

"Clean up has begun and is progressing very quickly on the buildings destroyed. It has been heartbreaking to see some of the homeless revisit the site and witness their entire worldly belongings being diminished and thrown in a charred heap - however it has also been a wonderful reflection on the community which has really come together in trying to reach out with clothes and personal items needed as well as cash donations at the Scotia Bank."

They go on to say, "their appreciation of the emergency professionals in our City is beyond measure." To view all of the photo's by Gord, check the photo album on the left titled, Queen Street West Fire.

Well said Michele and Gordon and thanks for the photos.

Canary Restaurant Closes

Time marches on. I suppose it was inevitable, another city landmark (in my eyes) closing due to progress I guess. Decision was made this Friday by the owners of the restaurant to close up, it was that quick. Today The Star wrote about it.

I am one of those drivers who likes to take the side streets in my travels throughout the city. Why drive down a main artery when a less congested route will do just fine? For my travels downtown I eagerly took the Bayview extension route - sidestepping my way through the industrial east of the downtown core, and always stopping at the Canary Restaurant. Canary Restaurant - Greasy spoon, history on the walls, fast coffee and when one could smoke inside - lots and lots of smokers.

The new development taking place is called Cork Town and the real construction will start within a week, but already it is making an impact on the area. Canary Restaurant felt the pressure of road closures, less traffic and less customers. It is too bad. Part of me hopes that someone steps up and saves the restaurant and let's it stay right where it is after everything is rebuilt. It would be fantastic to see the Canary Restaurant with all it's history and old old style sitting there in years to come amongst the newer buildings. We need reminders of our past amongst us.

Fun Golf Day in June

There are many organizations throughout our city and neighbourhoods we live and work in. One in particular has always been a strong influence in helping families become self sufficient. Woodgreen Community Centre in South Riverdale.

Woodgreen has been around since 1937, helping families in our communities in a way which is so important to us all. Getting them back on their feet. Their motto is, "Everyone deserves the essentials in life."

Each and every year they are challenged of course with their budget to fulfill their mission statement. One of the fun vehicles they use to raise needed money is to run a golf tournament. For many years agents in our company have participated in the tournament and helped the staff at Woodgreen at the volunteer level.

This year, Colleen Gray from our Riverdale branch took up the challange and has been active in the organization of the tournament for Woodgreen Community Centre. RE/MAX Hallmark has also taken up the challange by becoming an Eagel Sponsor of the event, which hopefully will help raise the needed funds to allow the Centre to continue it's great work.

If you are looking for a great golf outing day, in support of a fantastic community centre, look no further than the Woodgreen Community Golf Day on June 12th. Golf signup sheets are in each office or Colleen would be pleased to get you more information. You can reach Colleen at our Riverdale office, 416 462 1888  .