NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE AND DISTRICT ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
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The Barrie & District Association of REALTORS® (BDAR) launched its new virtual fundraiser, A Night of Shelter with a goal to engage Realtors and the greater community to be a part of building hope and transforming lives.
The first annual fundraiser ran from Nov. 1 to 26, 2021 and raised funds in support of South Simcoe Youth Haven, Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie, and The Busby Centre.
A safe, warm night of shelter frees people up to ease the heavy burden of feeling unsafe and nowhere to belong. Even one night of shelter provides a person in crisis the foundational emotional, mental, and physical needs to give them the strength to go to the next stage in health and well-being.
The average night of shelter in the Barrie region costs approximately $30 and BDAR’s initial goal was to raise 365 nights for a total of $11,000. After receiving an overwhelming response from members and the community, the goal was quickly surpassed, and they made the decision to stretch it to 730 nights for a total of nearly $22,000.
“We have more than doubled our original goal and raised over $25,000 and are able to provide 834 nights of shelter,” said Chantal Godard, 2021 BDAR president, “we are so excited and want to thank our members and the greater community for all of their generosity in contributing to this amazing cause.”
BDAR has been a long-time contributor to local shelter-based organizations through various initiatives. COVID-19 continues to put pressure on an already stretched shelter system and the idea for A Night of Shelter came from the need to contribute much-needed funds to help provide housing for women, children, youth, and the homeless.
The Night of Shelter fundraiser was the final initiative of BDAR’s annual contribution to shelter-based organizations. This year, working through the Realtors Care Foundation, BDAR distributed a much-needed emergency grant fund of $7,700 to Youth Haven, United Way Simcoe Muskoka, and Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie, and an annual donation of $13,000 shared between The Busby Centre and Habitat for Humanity Huronia.
“We are looking forward to running this fundraiser annually to encourage a brighter future for those seeking shelter and to support the long-term programs of local organizations recognized and respected for good works across Simcoe County” Godard added.
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