London, ON – The London St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR) announced it has presented nearly $40,000 to five local organizations, as part of its community investment program. LSTAR President Jim Smith and LSTAR CEO John S. Geha bestowed cheques of $5,000 to Meals on Wheels London, $3,625 to Investing in Children, $25,000 to London Health Sciences Foundation, $5,000 to Hockey Helps the Homeless and $500 to Christmas Care St. Thomas.
“We are proud to support local charities who contribute so much to the communities where LSTAR REALTOR® Members serve each day,” said Jim Smith, LSTAR 2017 President. “LSTAR Members are very passionate about giving back to the community, and this is one initiative that gives us a tremendous opportunity to make a positive impact.”
Lori Ann Horley, Manager, Annual Giving, London Health Sciences Foundation (LHSF), accepted a $25,000 cheque for the LHSF Adult Eating Disorders Clinic, supporting kitchen equipment and upgrades to the clinic’s dining area. This is the second year of a two-year pledge made by LSTAR, for a total donation of $50,000 in 2016 and 2017.
Sarah Campbell, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels London and Vanessa Cullen, Event and Fund Development Coordinator, Meals on Wheels London, accepted a $5,000 cheque. Meals on Wheels London provides service to adults with disabilities and seniors in need of nutritional support.
Ted Gorski, Executive Director, Investing in Children, was on hand to receive the $3,625 cheque for Investing in Children. Investing in Children offers opportunities for children to grow, learn and thrive, including a program that provides nutritious meals and snacks to more than 10,000 children across 85 area schools.
Earl Taylor, representing Christmas Care St. Thomas, accepted a $500 cheque for the organization, which offers support to St. Thomas-Elgin families during the Christmas season with food, gifts and other items.
Hockey Helps the Homeless (HHTH) received a $5,000 cheque. HHTH’s mission is to leverage Canadians’ love of hockey to raise funds to support agencies servicing the homeless population. Since it was established in 1996, HHTH has raised more than $9 million nationally by organizing one day fantasy hockey tournaments in cities across Canada, including London, Ontario.
LSTAR adheres to a Quality of Life philosophy, supporting growth that fosters economic vitality, provides housing opportunities, respects the environment and builds good communities and safe neighbourhoods. The awarded funds come from LSTAR’s Business Partners Program, sponsorship, various fundraising events and the Ontario REALTORS® Care Foundation, of which LSTAR is a proud supporter.
The London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR) exists to provide its REALTOR® Members with the support and tools they need to succeed in their profession. LSTAR is one of Canada’s 15 largest real estate associations, representing over 1,700 REALTORS® working in Middlesex and Elgin Counties, a trading area of 500,000 residents. LSTAR is a proud participant in the REALTORS Care Foundation’s Every REALTOR™ Campaign.
