Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty’s Modern Real Estate Team Raises Record Funds for Victoria Women’s Shelters
Victoria, BC – In a powerful demonstration of community spirit and unwavering commitment to social responsibility, Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty’s Modern Real Estate team in Victoria proudly hosted its fourth annual fundraiser this past September. This highly anticipated event was a resounding success, dedicated entirely to supporting the vital work of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, with all proceeds directed towards four essential local women’s shelters.
The elegant affair brought together ninety esteemed guests for an evening of sophisticated camaraderie, delectable refreshments, and a compelling silent auction. More than just a social gathering, this event served as a crucial fundraising platform, generating an impressive $7,000 in just a few short hours. This substantial sum will provide much-needed resources for Victoria Women’s Transition House, the Cridge Centre for the Family, Sooke Transition House Society, and Margaret Laurence House – organizations that form the backbone of support for women and children fleeing violence in the greater Victoria area.
A Record-Breaking Year for a Vital Cause
The success of this year’s fundraiser surpassed all previous efforts, marking it as a truly record-breaking achievement. Co-organizer Saira Waters expressed her immense satisfaction and gratitude for the community’s overwhelming generosity. “This was indeed a record-breaking year for us,” Waters commented, her voice reflecting the enthusiasm of the entire organizing team. “We were absolutely delighted and deeply moved to welcome Marlene Goley from Cridge Transition House as our special guest speaker. Marlene shared an incredibly poignant story about the profound impact of the funds raised for their shelter, recounting how direct support transformed the life of a young woman courageously fleeing a violent situation. Her narrative resonated deeply, touching every heart in the room and powerfully illustrating the tangible difference our collective efforts make.”
The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is Canada’s largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to funding women’s shelters and violence prevention programs. Since 1998, the Foundation has raised over $35 million, with 100% of all donations going directly to local shelters and support programs. This unique model ensures that every dollar raised within a community directly benefits that community, fostering a strong sense of local impact and ownership. The Modern Real Estate team’s annual event is a prime example of this philosophy in action, channeling local generosity into immediate local relief.
Supporting the Pillars of Protection: Victoria’s Women’s Shelters
The four beneficiaries of the fundraiser each play a unique yet interconnected role in providing safety, support, and a path to independence for women and children experiencing domestic violence:
- Victoria Women’s Transition House: Offering safe shelter, counseling, support groups, and children’s programs, this organization has been a cornerstone of support in Victoria for decades, providing emergency and longer-term housing options for those escaping abusive environments.
- The Cridge Centre for the Family: Beyond its wide array of family services, the Cridge Centre provides crucial transition house services, offering a secure and nurturing environment for women and children, along with programs focused on healing and empowerment.
- Sooke Transition House Society: Catering to the specific needs of the Sooke region, this society provides safe, confidential shelter and support services, recognizing the unique challenges faced by individuals in more rural settings.
- Margaret Laurence House: This second-stage housing facility offers longer-term, affordable housing for women and children leaving abusive relationships, providing a crucial bridge from emergency shelter to independent living, complete with ongoing support and programming.
The $7,000 raised will be distributed among these organizations, enabling them to bolster their essential services, which include safe housing, crisis lines, counseling, legal advocacy, and programs for children who have witnessed violence. These funds are not merely monetary contributions; they represent the provision of safety, dignity, and hope for countless individuals.
Saira Waters’ Personal Commitment: The Iceland Challenge for Shelter
Beyond her pivotal role in organizing this local fundraiser, Saira Waters carries a profound personal commitment to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. The funds raised at this year’s successful event will significantly contribute towards her ambitious $10,000 personal fundraising goal. This impressive sum is pledged in support of her participation in the “Iceland Challenge for Shelter,” an extraordinary fundraising trek scheduled for July 2017.
The Iceland Challenge for Shelter is one of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation’s signature fundraising initiatives, inviting brave and dedicated individuals to embark on an arduous multi-day trek through some of the world’s most stunning yet challenging landscapes. Participants commit to raising substantial funds, knowing that every step they take contributes directly to creating a safer future for women and children in Canada. This global adventure serves as a powerful symbol of the long and often difficult journey survivors undertake, and the unwavering support provided by the Foundation and its network of dedicated real estate professionals.
Saira’s participation in the Iceland Challenge highlights the deep personal connection many Royal LePage agents have to the Foundation’s mission. It exemplifies a commitment that extends far beyond professional duties, embracing a profound desire to enact meaningful social change. Her courage to undertake such a demanding physical and fundraising challenge inspires her colleagues, clients, and the wider community, underscoring the serious and urgent need to address domestic violence.
The Power of Community and Corporate Social Responsibility
The consistent success of the Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty’s Modern Real Estate team’s annual fundraiser is a testament to the powerful impact of corporate social responsibility when coupled with passionate community engagement. As a leading real estate firm in Victoria, Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty understands that its role extends beyond property transactions. It encompasses a responsibility to contribute positively to the fabric of the community it serves.
Events like this fundraiser foster a stronger, more empathetic community. They raise vital funds and, equally important, raise awareness about the pervasive issue of domestic violence, often hidden in plain sight. By bringing together clients, partners, and community members, the Modern Real Estate team creates a platform for collective action, demonstrating that local businesses can be powerful catalysts for social good.
The ongoing commitment of Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty to the Shelter Foundation reflects a broader organizational ethos within Royal LePage. Nationally, the company and its agents are the largest per-capita donors to women’s shelters in Canada, showcasing an industry-leading dedication to philanthropy and community support. This deep-rooted culture of giving back ensures that critical resources continue to flow to where they are most needed, providing immediate relief and long-term solutions for survivors of domestic violence.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining Hope and Support
The overwhelming success of the fourth annual fundraiser not only provided crucial financial support but also energized the Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty team and its supporters. It reinforced the belief that even in challenging times, collective generosity can create profound change. As Saira Waters prepares for her Iceland Challenge, buoyed by the local community’s support, the momentum generated by this event will undoubtedly carry forward, inspiring future initiatives and continued dedication to the cause.
The stories shared, the connections made, and the funds raised at this event serve as a powerful reminder: no one should have to face violence alone. The efforts of the Modern Real Estate team, the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, and the courageous women’s shelters in Victoria ensure that a beacon of hope and a pathway to safety remain accessible for those who need it most. This annual fundraiser is more than an event; it is a promise kept, a community united, and a lifeline extended.