NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE & DISTRICT ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
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The Barrie & District Association of Realtors (BDAR) third annual A Night of Shelter virtual fundraiser ran from Nov. 1 through Nov. 24 raising funds in support of SHIFT, the Women and Children’s Shelter of Barrie, and the Lighthouse.
The average night of shelter costs approximately $30 and BDAR’s initial goal was to raise 365 nights of shelter for a total of $11,000.
“This year we had more than 100 Realtors and 15 brokerages participate in our virtual fundraiser,” said BDAR’s chair, Lindsay Percy. “We are happy to say that because of the generosity of our Realtor community once again this year, we have raised 367 nights of shelter totalling more than $11,000.”
One in five Canadians spend more than 50 per cent of their income on housing, making this fundraiser increasingly important each year as we continue to see a lack of access to safe and affordable housing and resources. The fundraiser provides a chance to highlight these important issues happening within our communities and the amazing works of local organizations that work to end homelessness.
“Homelessness comes in many forms as each individual has been affected differently with some escaping trauma, mental health problems, system failures, and so much more,” said Percy.
Donations from the fundraiser go toward providing an individual or family experiencing homelessness with a safe place to sleep, meals, basic health, and mental health support, as well as assistance in finding sustainable housing and employment.
In addition to A Night of Shelter and working through the Realtors Care Foundation, BDAR distributed $16,942 this year to other local shelter-based organizations including Habitat for Humanity Huronia and Redwood Park Communities.
“We want to thank our members and the greater community for their support and generosity,” says Percy. “The Night of Shelter fundraiser has become near to our hearts, and we look forward to continuing to support our local shelters through these initiatives.”
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