The London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR) announced it has presented $76,000 to nine local organizations, as part of its community engagement program. LSTAR 2018 President Jeff Nethercott and LSTAR CEO John S. Geha bestowed the grant awards to the organizations over the last two months.
"These charities contribute so much to the well-being of so many communities across London and St. Thomas," said Jeff Nethercott, LSTAR 2018 President. "We are proud to support them, because they make a tremendous impact on the quality of life for residents throughout the region."
The following organizations received a grant from LSTAR:
- Anova, for its Recreation Program for Children. Anova provides safe places, shelter, support, counselling, and resources for abused women and their children.
- The Grace Café, toward its Street Mission and Soup Kitchen. The Grace Café serves the community of St. Thomas, offering free lunch, coffee and clothing.
- Hockey Helps the Homeless (HHTH), toward its 2019 London tournament. 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. The London tournament raises funds for Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) and Unity Project.
- Investing in Children. The organization provides opportunities for children to grow, to learn and to thrive, with programs focusing on literacy and numeracy, leadership, proper nutrition and other keys to future success.
- London Affordable Housing Foundation (LAHF). LAHF seeks to bring together donors, builders, government and business to increase the supply of affordable housing. The group is currently working on a proposal for a new affordable housing development on Dundas Street called Nightingale Place, which will feature 42 affordable units, including six accessible units.
- Meals on Wheels London, for its Home to Stay Program. Meals on Wheels London provides service to adults with disabilities and seniors in need of nutritional support.
- Mission Services of London, toward its Prevention of Homelessness Among Families Program. For more than 65 years, Mission Services of London has assisted thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds, delivering programs and services at five branches across London and the surrounding area.
- The Salvation Army, who gives hope and support to vulnerable people and offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, provides shelter for homeless people, and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction.
- Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.), toward its New Addition Campaign, which sets out to address homelessness issues, while offering a supportive and integrated program focused on healthcare, poverty reduction, employment, education and life coaching.
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.
