TheTorontoRealEstate.com

December 17, 2010 -- The season of gift giving is upon us and it's a time of year when many of us pause to consider how we can make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

Despite the fact that in its 2010 study on wealth and wellbeing the Legatum Institute ranked Canada as the world's seventh most prosperous nation, the most recent data available from Statistics Canada indicates that after three years of decline, child poverty in our province is on the rise. Based on 2008 statistics, it estimates that one in six children in Ontario are living in poverty.

Like many of you, Greater Toronto REALTORS® are working to change this statistic. For a number of years, Members of the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) have committed to supporting the REALTORS® Care Foundation through its Every REALTOR® campaign. This year, their commitment resulted in a donation of more than $357,000 to the Foundation.

Established in 1967 as part of Canada's Centennial celebrations, the REALTORS® Care Foundation makes grants on behalf of REALTORS® to shelter-based organizations throughout the province.

Through the Foundation, TREB has the opportunity to support housing-related causes in the Greater Toronto Area on an annual basis and this year, more than $178,000 was awarded to 35 different organizations. A hospice, centres for homeless youths, organizations that support those struggling with mental illness, community outreach programs, and numerous women's shelters were among the recipients.

To celebrate our mutual commitment to GTA communities, representatives from the various organizations came together November 29th at the Toronto Real Estate Board's annual Gathering For Giving reception. 

The reception also featured Toronto historian Mike Filey, whose captivating anecdotes you can find in books, on radio and in the Toronto Sun. 

The evening was particularly memorable because it marked the exact date of TREB's 90th anniversary. On November 29th, 1920 a small group real estate practitioners came together to establish standards in the profession. In the decades since then, we have expanded on our founders' spirit of cooperation by working together to improve the quality of life in our city's communities. 

Recently for example, we made a $100,000 donation to Habitat for Humanity Toronto, which has allowed TREB to sponsor one of 29 town-home units being constructed at Kingston Road and Morningside Avenue. This initiative marks the fourth title sponsorship of seven builds to which TREB has contributed in recent years. 

We work with the Toronto District School Board to provide nutritious breakfasts and snacks to 28,000 children in 16 different schools each month. We also provide grants to graduating high school students on an annual basis, to be used towards their post-secondary educations. These are just a few of the many ways we work to make a difference in our city throughout the year.

If you're thinking of buying or selling in the year ahead, you can count on the fact that your Greater Toronto REALTOR® has a genuine commitment your wellbeing, complemented by many tools and skills to guide you through the process. For more information please visit www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com 

Bill Johnston is President of the Toronto Real Estate Board, a professional association that represents 30,000 REALTORS® in the Greater Toronto Area. 

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