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Nominations Open for the Canadian REALTORS Care Award

Recognizing Excellence: Nominate a Canadian REALTOR® for the 2024 REALTORS Care® Award

In every community across Canada, REALTORS® are known for their profound expertise in the real estate market. However, their influence often extends far beyond property transactions. These dedicated professionals frequently possess a deep understanding of their community’s pulse, its challenges, and its pressing needs. Inspired by this insight, countless REALTORS® proactively step forward, committing their time, resources, and passion to foster positive change and uplift those around them. This year, the opportunity has arrived to formally acknowledge and celebrate an individual whose selfless actions have left an outstanding and indelible mark on their community.

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is now officially accepting nominations for the prestigious Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2024. This distinguished award, proudly presented by REALTOR.ca, serves a crucial purpose: to shine a national spotlight on a REALTOR® whose remarkable charitable accomplishments have not only made a difference but have also created truly lasting and transformative change in the lives of others. It’s a testament to the fact that the spirit of giving and community support is deeply embedded within the Canadian real estate profession.

The Essence of the REALTORS Care® Award: Celebrating Community Champions

The Canadian REALTORS Care® Award embodies the core values of compassion, dedication, and social responsibility that define the REALTOR® community. It recognizes those who consistently go above and beyond their professional duties, leveraging their influence and networks to address critical social issues, support vulnerable populations, and build stronger, more vibrant communities. This award is more than just an accolade; it’s a powerful statement about the profound impact individuals can have when they commit to service. Recipients are not just recognized; their stories inspire thousands of other REALTORS® across the nation to engage in similar acts of kindness and philanthropy, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

Since its inception in 2016, the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award has become a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration, honouring nine exceptional REALTORS® from five different provinces. Each recipient has embodied the true “REALTORS Care®” spirit, demonstrating leadership through various forms of giving—be it through transformative volunteering, tireless advocacy for important causes, strategic fundraising initiatives, or impactful philanthropic contributions. Their diverse approaches underscore the many ways in which REALTORS® can make a significant difference, often quietly and consistently, year after year.

Who Can Be Nominated for This Prestigious Honour?

The search is on for REALTORS® who exemplify extraordinary dedication to their communities. If you know a deserving individual, the nomination process is straightforward and accessible. Any member of CREA, currently in good standing, is eligible for nomination. The only exceptions are current members of CREA’s board of directors or its Environmental, Social, and Governance Committee. This ensures the integrity and impartiality of the selection process. This broad eligibility encourages nominations from all corners of the country, reflecting the widespread charitable efforts of REALTORS® nationwide.

Crafting a Compelling Nomination: Share Their Inspiring Story

CREA strongly encourages nominators to submit inspiring and detailed stories of REALTORS® who truly embody the spirit of giving. To effectively highlight a candidate’s exceptional contributions, nominators must complete the official Canadian REALTORS Care® Award nomination form. This form is designed to capture the essence of their charitable journey and its impact.

When completing the form, it’s crucial to provide a comprehensive history of the REALTOR®’s charitable work. This includes outlining the organizations they’ve supported, the specific projects or initiatives they’ve led or contributed to, and the duration and consistency of their involvement. More importantly, the nomination should vividly illustrate the positive difference this REALTOR® is making in their community. Quantify the impact where possible (e.g., number of people served, funds raised, hours volunteered), but also articulate the qualitative changes—how lives have been improved, how communities have been strengthened, and the lasting legacy of their efforts.

Essential Supporting Documentation for Your Nomination:

To ensure each nomination is robust and credible, nominators are required to include specific supporting documents:

  • Letter(s) of Recommendation: At least one letter of recommendation must be submitted. This letter should be obtained within the past year from a representative of a registered charity that has been directly supported by the nominee. A strong letter will detail the nominee’s involvement, their specific contributions, and the positive outcomes observed by the charity. It acts as an independent validation of their impact.
  • Supporting Documentation: Alongside the recommendation letter, nominators need to include at least one piece of additional supporting documentation. This can take many forms, offering flexibility to showcase diverse types of impact. Examples include, but are not limited to:
    • Media coverage (newspaper articles, online news features, radio interviews) highlighting their charitable work.
    • Photographs capturing the nominee engaged in their charitable activities, demonstrating their hands-on involvement.
    • Social media posts from the nominee, their brokerage, or the charity, showcasing their initiatives and public engagement.
    • Official reports, event programs, or organizational newsletters that mention or feature the nominee’s contributions.
    • Awards or recognitions received for their philanthropic efforts at a local or regional level.

These documents collectively paint a vivid picture of the nominee’s commitment and provide tangible proof of their significant contributions.

Inspiring Stories of Transformative Impact: Past Recipients and Nominees

The stories of past Canadian REALTORS Care® Award recipients and nominees serve as powerful testaments to the extraordinary generosity within the real estate community. These individuals exemplify how dedication and a caring heart can lead to remarkable achievements.

Dale Devereaux: A Pillar of Support in Red Deer

The 2023 recipient, Dale Devereaux, is a shining example of long-term community commitment. Since moving to Red Deer, Alberta, in the 1980s, Devereaux has been tirelessly finding ways to support his city. His “Feed a Family at Christmas” campaign, in partnership with the Red Deer Food Bank, has been instrumental in feeding close to 30,000 central Albertans over the past 25 years. Beyond this, Devereaux played a pivotal role in bringing a Ronald McDonald House to his community, personally locating the land for the facility and helping to raise an astonishing $12.1 million in just 15 months for its construction. His efforts underscore the profound difference one dedicated individual can make.

Spotlighting More Community Heroes: The REALTORS Care® Spotlight Series

Dale Devereaux was one of 48 exceptional REALTORS® nominated for the 2023 award, each with their own inspiring tale of giving back. To further celebrate these unsung heroes and share their impactful work, CREA launched the new REALTORS Care® Spotlight series. This initiative continues to highlight the incredible stories of many of these nominees, showcasing the diverse ways REALTORS® contribute to their communities. Some notable examples from the series include:

  • Chris Dunlop (Toronto, Ontario): Chris has been a force in leading multi-million-dollar capital campaigns for local youth centres. His leadership has also inspired his brokerage to become a national leader in fundraising for the vital Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, supporting women and children fleeing violence.
  • Brenda MacKenzie (Halifax, Nova Scotia): Over a decade ago, Brenda founded “A Home for Everyone” to address the needs of Halifax’s unhoused population. Today, her non-profit empowers families in need to find and finance safe and stable housing, transforming lives through the gift of homeownership.
  • Rose Iannacchino (Niagara Falls, Ontario): As the volunteer co-executive director of GROW Community Food Literacy Centre, Rose dedicates countless hours to ensuring the most vulnerable members of her community have access to healthy and affordable food, fostering vital food literacy skills.

These stories are not just narratives of individual achievement; they are powerful reminders of the collective impact that REALTORS® make across Canada every single day.

The Lasting Legacy: Recognition, Donation, and Inspiration

The recipient of the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2024 will be announced with great anticipation at CREA’s Annual General Meeting in April 2024. This national platform ensures their incredible story will be shared widely across the country, celebrating their contributions and inspiring countless others. Beyond the national recognition and extensive coverage, CREA will proudly donate $5,000 to the recipient’s favourite registered charity, further amplifying their impact and providing crucial support to a cause close to their heart.

Furthermore, the recognition doesn’t stop with the main award. Each nominee for the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award may also have the invaluable opportunity to have their profound impact featured as part of the next year’s REALTORS Care® Spotlight series. This ongoing initiative ensures that the dedication and hard work of many more REALTORS® are brought into the public eye. Nominees who express interest in being featured will be contacted directly by CREA’s REALTORS Care® team in early 2024, offering another chance to share their inspiring journey and encourage wider participation in charitable endeavours.

Don’t Miss Your Chance: Nominate a Community Hero Today!

This is a unique opportunity to recognize and celebrate the REALTORS® who are the true heroes of our communities. Their unwavering commitment to making a positive difference deserves to be acknowledged on a national stage. If you know a REALTOR® whose charitable work, volunteering, and philanthropic efforts have created a significant and lasting impact, now is the time to put their name forward.

All nominations must be submitted by 4 p.m. EST on Friday, December 1. Do not let this deadline pass. For complete details regarding the nomination process, eligibility criteria, and to submit a nomination for a deserving REALTOR® who goes above and beyond, please visit REALTORSCare.ca/nominate.

Join CREA, REALTOR.ca, and the entire Canadian real estate community in celebrating these extraordinary individuals. Your nomination can bring well-deserved recognition to a REALTOR® who truly embodies the spirit of care and community.

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