Recognizing Extraordinary Contributions During Challenging Times

The past few years presented unprecedented challenges, requiring individuals and communities to adapt, innovate, and support one another like never before. From essential workers tirelessly serving on the front lines to volunteers organizing food drives, from neighbours checking in on the elderly to innovators developing local solutions, countless acts of kindness and leadership emerged. These are the “pandemic heroes” – individuals who didn’t seek recognition but whose actions profoundly impacted those around them.

Re/Max of Western Canada believes that these stories of resilience and community spirit deserve to be celebrated. The “Above the Crowd” contest serves as a platform to highlight these incredible individuals, offering a moment of gratitude and a unique reward for their invaluable contributions. It’s about acknowledging that while the pandemic brought difficulties, it also brought out the very best in people, fostering a stronger sense of local connection and mutual support.

By empowering community members to nominate their heroes, Re/Max aims to create a ripple effect of appreciation, inspiring others to continue fostering positive change and reinforcing the bonds that make our communities vibrant and resilient.

The “Above the Crowd” Experience: What Awaits the Winners

The core of this contest is the spirit of recognition, culminating in a truly spectacular prize. Imagine floating peacefully above the sprawling vistas and familiar landmarks of your community, experiencing a serene ascent into the skies. The grand prize is a VIP Re/Max hot air balloon flight for two, an adventure designed to provide a breathtaking, once-in-a-lifetime perspective.

A Journey Beyond Expectation

• Unforgettable Views: Soar silently above cities and natural landscapes, witnessing panoramic views that few ever get to experience. This unique vantage point mirrors the elevated impact these heroes have had on their communities.
• Exclusive VIP Treatment: The experience is crafted to be special, offering a sense of luxury and appreciation for the deserving winners.
• Symbolic Ascent: The journey skyward symbolizes rising above challenges, overcoming adversity, and gaining a fresh perspective – precisely what many community heroes helped others achieve.
• A Memory for Life: This isn’t just a fleeting moment; it’s an adventure that will create lasting memories, shared with a loved one, reinforcing the recognition of their selfless acts.

This hot air balloon flight embodies the very essence of “Above the Crowd,” giving heroes a chance to literally and figuratively rise above the ordinary and celebrate their extraordinary contributions.

Contest Timeline and Draw Mechanism: Mark Your Calendars!

The “Above the Crowd” contest is structured to offer multiple opportunities for recognition, with two distinct draw dates. This strategic timing ensures that more heroes have the chance to be celebrated.

• Contest Nomination Period: From July 1st to August 31st. This two-month window provides ample time for residents across Western Canada to identify and nominate their community champions.
• First Draw Date: July 31st at 9 a.m. PT. Early bird nominations stand a chance to be selected in this initial draw, generating excitement midway through the contest.
• Second Draw Date: September 1st at 9 a.m. PT. This final draw will select additional winners, concluding the contest on a high note and ensuring widespread recognition.

Fair and Localized Selection Process

To ensure a broad and fair distribution of prizes, Re/Max of Western Canada has implemented a localized drawing system. On each of the specified draw dates (July 31st and September 1st), two eligible contest entries will be randomly drawn per designated city. The participating cities are:

• Edmonton, Alberta
• Calgary, Alberta
• Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• Regina, Saskatchewan
• Winnipeg, Manitoba

This localized approach ensures that heroes from major urban centers within Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba are specifically recognized, fostering a strong sense of community pride in each region. It also means that a total of 10 winners (two per city) will be selected on each draw date, culminating in a total of 20 winners across the contest period.

It is important for participants to note that only the nominated individuals are eligible to win the prize. Furthermore, winners selected in the July 31st draw will be excluded from the September 1st draw. This rule is in place to allow for a wider range of deserving nominees to be recognized in the second round, broadening the contest’s impact and celebrating more heroes.

The chance of an eligible nominee being drawn is directly dependent on the total number of qualifying entries received. Therefore, the more nominations submitted for deserving individuals, the greater the opportunity to highlight the incredible efforts within our communities.

Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Nominate and Who Can Be Honored?

To maintain fairness and focus the contest on its intended purpose of celebrating local heroes, Re/Max of Western Canada has established clear eligibility requirements for both nominators and nominees.

Nominator Eligibility: Your Chance to Recognize a Hero

If you know someone who deserves to be celebrated, here are the criteria you need to meet to submit a nomination:

• You must be a legal resident of one of the following Canadian provinces or territories: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, or the Northwest Territories.
• You must have reached the age of majority in your province or territory of residence at the time of nomination.

This broad geographic eligibility for nominators reflects the wide reach of Re/Max of Western Canada’s network and encourages a diverse array of submissions. We believe that heroism knows no provincial boundaries when it comes to recognition, allowing stories of impact from across Western Canada to be brought forward.

Nominee Eligibility: Our Community Heroes

The individual you wish to nominate, the true focus of the “Above the Crowd” contest, must meet these specific conditions:

• They must be a legal resident of Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba.
• They must have reached the age of majority in their province of residence at the time of nomination.

The specific focus on nominees residing within Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba aligns with the cities designated for the prize draws (Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, and Winnipeg) and the logistical areas for the hot air balloon flights. This ensures that the prize is directly accessible and relevant to the winning nominees, making the experience truly local and meaningful.

It’s crucial to remember that only the nominated individuals will be considered eligible to win the VIP hot air balloon flight. This structure ensures that the recognition and the prize directly benefit those who have selflessly served their communities.

How to Submit Your Nomination: A Simple Path to Recognition

Participating in the “Above the Crowd” contest and nominating a deserving individual is a straightforward process designed to be accessible to all eligible residents. Re/Max encourages everyone who has witnessed an act of community heroism to take a few moments and share their story.

To successfully nominate your community hero, you will typically be guided through an online submission portal where you can articulate why your chosen individual is truly deserving. When crafting your nomination, consider highlighting:

• Specific Actions: What tangible efforts did they undertake during the pandemic? Were they organizing support groups, delivering essentials, offering comfort, or innovating solutions?
• Impact on Community: How did their actions positively affect others? Did they improve well-being, foster connection, or inspire hope? Provide examples of their influence.
• Qualities Displayed: What personal attributes make them an “Above the Crowd” hero? Was it their unwavering compassion, exceptional leadership, incredible resilience, or selfless dedication?

A compelling and detailed story significantly enhances a nomination, allowing the judges to truly understand the depth of their contributions. Your words have the power to bring their story to life and secure the recognition they so richly deserve.

For a comprehensive understanding of the contest rules, specific terms and conditions, and to access the official nomination portal, please visit the dedicated contest page. Ensure you review all details to make your nomination as effective as possible:

Click Here for Full Contest Rules & To Nominate Your Hero

Don’t miss this opportunity to shine a light on the incredible individuals who have made a lasting difference in our Western Canadian communities. Your nomination can provide not only recognition but also an unforgettable experience for a true hero.

Why This Contest Matters: Beyond the Hot Air Balloon

While the VIP hot air balloon flight is an exciting and unique prize, the “Above the Crowd” contest serves a much broader and more profound purpose. It’s an initiative deeply rooted in Re/Max’s core values of community support, integrity, and local engagement. By actively seeking out and celebrating these everyday heroes, Re/Max of Western Canada aims to achieve several important objectives:

• Inspiring Future Action: Showcasing acts of altruism and kindness can motivate others to become more involved in their communities, fostering a virtuous cycle of positive contribution.
• Strengthening Community Bonds: Collective recognition of shared challenges and triumphs reinforces a sense of unity and highlights the power of working together. It reminds us that we are stronger as a community.
• Boosting Morale and Validation: For the nominees, being recognized in such a public and meaningful way can provide an immense boost, validating their hard work, compassion, and dedication during difficult times. It affirms that their efforts were seen and appreciated.
• Fostering Gratitude and Connection: The very act of nominating encourages individuals to reflect on the positive influences in their lives and express gratitude, fostering stronger interpersonal connections within neighbourhoods.
• Reinforcing Local Identity: By celebrating heroes from specific cities and regions, the contest helps to build and reinforce a sense of local pride and identity, highlighting the unique spirit of Western Canadian communities.

Re/Max has always understood that real estate is not just about properties; it’s about people and the communities they call home. This contest is a testament to their ongoing commitment to not just facilitating property transactions but also actively contributing to the well-being and vibrancy of the places where people live, work, and thrive. It’s an investment in the human spirit that forms the foundation of every strong community.

Join Re/Max in Elevating Western Canada’s Finest

The “Above the Crowd” contest represents a remarkable opportunity to collectively acknowledge and reward the selfless individuals who truly made a tangible difference when their communities needed them most. Re/Max of Western Canada extends a heartfelt invitation to all eligible residents across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories to participate in this meaningful campaign by nominating someone truly deserving.

Don’t let this chance pass to give a hero the recognition they deserve – and an experience they will cherish forever. Visit the official contest page today, thoroughly review the full rules and regulations, and submit your nomination. Let’s work together to lift our extraordinary community heroes “above the crowd” and celebrate the incredible heart of Western Canada!