ROYAL LEPAGE SHELTER FOUNDATION - benefiting the west island women's shelter

By Team Broady

Because Royal LePage is committed to strengthening the communities where we live and work, it is the only Canadian real estate company with its own charitable foundation. The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is Canada’s largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to funding women’s shelters and violence prevention programs.

Every dollar raised goes directly to helping the more than 30,000 women and children who are served each year by the shelters and support programs we fund. Since 1998, the Shelter Foundation has raised more than $24 million and currently supports 200 local women’s shelters and national partners. Team Broady, together with other Royal LePage agents across the country, donates a portion of their commissions to the Shelter Foundation and over the years Libby has organized Christmas Auctions and Garage Sale fundraisers with our Royal LePage Elite office in support of our local West Island Women's Shelter. Team Broady also organizes other fundraising activities such as our Pumpkin Giveaway, in aid of our local Shelter 

The Machu Picchu Challenge for Shelter

In August 2015, Libby & Sean trekked to the lost city of Machu Picchu in Peru in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation and raised funds to help the women & children at the West Island Women's Shelter. For the eight day Machu Picchu Challenge for Shelter, they trekked at high altitudes, slept in tents, and went without running water, electricity and cell phone service, together with colleagues from Royal LePage offices across Canada raising funds for their local Shelters. It wasn’t easy, but they prepared themselves physically and mentally for the challenge for months. Each dollar they raised and every step they took made it easier for women and children to walk safely away from violence.

Their fundraising goal was to raise $10,000 for the local Shelter, and thanks to all those who so generously sponsored them on this venture, they raised $12,500 for the Shelter Foundation. As a group, nearly $500,000 was raised to help fund shelters across Canada. 

tHE iCELAND cHALLENGE FOR sHELTER

In July 2017, Mark, Sean & Kimberley trekked to Iceland. Together with about 90 other Royal LePage colleagues from across Canada, divided into 3 groups, each hiking 1 day apart, they completed what is known as the Iceland Challenge for Shelter. The goal was to raise money and awareness to help women and children escape domestic violence. They raised over $15,000 for the West Island Women’s Shelter, and the Iceland Challenge collectively raised over $655,000 for shelters across Canada.

In Mark’s words:
We started the hike with 29 complete strangers in our group, and by day 5, we were like one big family. It was a spiritual journey for each of us – the time you spend in your own head & heart over a 115 km hike is priceless. It was a chance to see one of the most beautiful, unspoiled, natural landscapes left on this planet. Not a day passed that we didn’t think about the women and children who have to live their lives in fear and danger. No matter how difficult the hike became, we knew it was nothing compared to what some of these families have to endure.

A night to remember - gala benefiting the alzheimer society of montreal

By Mark Broady

My brother Scott and I started A Night to Remember in 2011 because we had experienced first-hand the effects of Alzheimer's disease and dementia - and the unbelievable strain it puts on a family that is going through it. Our father, Max Broady, passed away in August 2016 after a 16-year journey with Alzheimer's disease. He had been diagnosed in 2001 at the age of 58. For a long time, our family felt like we could handle things on our own, and made the mistake of not reaching out and seeking the help that was available to us. We didn't realize that we're not alone.  "Night to Remember" began as a tribute to our dad's suffering from Alzheimer's, and as a way to increase awareness for other families who may be going through similar struggles. 

That said, A Night to Remember is a party! With over 200 guests in attendance, there is an open bar, oysters, cocktails, performances, a silent auction & raffles, and the best DJs playing the best music all night long. This fun night raises much-needed funds to support the Alzheimer Society of Montreal.

THE FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE OF MONTREAL

By Desiree Ofter

Growing up, my sister Jasmin and I always had a tight bond. But as a person with special needs, Jasmin found it challenging to form relationships with people outside of her family. That all changed when she joined the FriendshipCircle over a decade ago. 

The FriendshipCircle is an organization that provides recreational, social, educational and vocational programming for individuals with special needs. The group allows these individuals to develop relationships with each other and the volunteers, and to have a place that they belong. They organize week-long camps, outings to museums and hang out at the Centre every Sunday afternoon. Activities include art, music, cooking, karate and so much more.

On my most recent visit to the FriendshipCircle headquarters, it was hard to imagine how shy and reserved my sister used to be. The girl who could barely look a new person in the eye was now hanging onto the arm of a new volunteer and introducing her to people. I watched her across the room, laughing and making conversation, and knew that she didn’t need my help anymore. The transformation in my sister’s self-confidence and conversational skills is unbelievable. FriendshipCircle gave Jasmin a sense of belonging.. 

This is why the FriendshipCircle is a cause so close to my heart. I want every person with special needs to feel like my sister Jasmin feels every time she walks in those doors. I want them to feel part of a loving community.

COMMUNITY POOLS

By Mark Broady

Like most West Islanders, the neighbourhood pool is where we spent our days gathered with our neighbours to enjoy the summer. Sean, Catherine & I have fond memories of moving up in the swimming programme at our local pool when we were kids and Catherine & I worked as lifeguards when we were teenagers. Libby was a volunteer on the executive and also worked at swim meets.during those years. That is why supporting our neighbourhood pools and aquatic programmes ........... not to mention hosting BBQ's and parties at the pools is so much fun!