The RE/MAX Calgary Committee did not let the pandemic-driven postponement and cancellation of many fundraising activities prevent them from rallying meaningful support for Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation this year. This dedicated group continued to contribute to the hospital and promote the cause to their networks and communities. One notable event in their fundraising calendar was a summer auction that raised more than $8,000 for the Foundation.

Leo Bruneau is well known in the RE/MAX family for spearheading “Team Leo” at RE/MAX All Points Realty in BC. He’s also a prominent ambassador for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation (BCCHF), and a recent recipient of the CMN Volunteer Award. When his local children’s hospital foundation approaches Leo – whether to host a fundraiser or volunteer his time – his answer is a reliable and enthusiastic “yes”. The strength of Leo’s commitment to CMN and BCCHF was especially evident this year as he spent several hours of his birthday in August calling friends and business associates to solicit donations. Within a few days, he had raised over $25,000 for sick and injured children in BC – an extraordinary gift from an extraordinary partner.

Many of RE/MAX’s most effective CMN supporters have spent years developing their fundraising strategies as they have built their careers. In early 2020, a group of agents in the CHEO region decided to convene a special gathering designed to accelerate agents’ fundraising progress by connecting RE/MAX team members at different career stages and phases of their philanthropic journeys. Some invitees were Miracle Home Program veterans, while others were new to the program or considering deepening their commitment. One agent had a powerful personal connection to the cause: a child undergoing care and treatment at CHEO. Although the gathering was delayed due to COVID-19, its planning attests to a spirit of collaboration – and a commitment to achieving results for kids – that holds plenty of promise for the years ahead.

RE/MAX sales associate Jesse Peters has been a top fundraiser for The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba for more than five years, making an extraordinary difference for patients and families, primarily through the Miracle Home Program. This year, as COVID-19 restrictions prevented kids and families from enjoying in-person visits and photo sessions with Santa Claus, Jesse and his team stepped in. Partnering with a local photography and graphic design firm, they created a virtual photobooth where children and their families could pose for a holiday snapshot with Santa. For every photo taken, Jesse and his team donated $5 to the Child Life Department (CLD) at Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg. The CLD exists to give kids the best possible experience at our hospital, especially if they need to be here for extended stays. The CLD has played an especially crucial role this year since pandemic-related rules have restricted the number of visitors patients can have. Thanks to RE/MAX, Jesse, and team, the CLD is able to continue its work creating healing environments for young patients.

It was a record-breaking year for RE/MAX teams in the region of Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre. Together, over 400 Miracle Agents donated more than $207,000 for life-saving equipment and life-enhancing programs and services – our largest ever regional total. David Schooley of RE/MAX Twin City Realty Inc. was the region’s top fundraising agent in 2020, earning the title for the second year in a row. His motivation is personal: 18 years ago, his son needed care. “My family received wonderful care from the staff at Children’s Hospital when we needed it, and as donors, the warmth and authenticity of that relationship is much the same,” David says. Today, David’s son is healthy and off to university, while David himself is gearing up for a possible threepeat as an outstanding ally to his local children’s hospital foundation.

As the Maritime housing market grew over the past year, many realtors across the IWK Health region were busier than ever before, juggling the new rules and logistics associated with buying and selling homes during a major pandemic. While managing these many complexities, RE/MAX agents, brokers, and offices continued to do whatever they could to support sick and injured children, including making an effective online fundraising ask. This support made an enormous difference for patients, including twin sisters Kendra and Kinsey, who have relied on the IWK for care and treatment during the pandemic. Over the years, both Kendra and Kinsey have benefitted from specialized equipment made available in part by the generosity of the Maritime RE/MAX team.

Each year, the Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation celebrates RE/MAX agents who go above and beyond to support our children. Through the Altitude Elite program, agents who donate $1,000 or more are recognized as Platinum donors, receiving acknowledgement in an ad in the provincial newspaper as well as through the Foundation’s social media channels. Remarkably, despite the impact of COVID-19 on fundraising efforts, 2020 saw the largest number of Platinum donors to date. The Janeway and the patients and families we serve are especially grateful to these RE/MAX agents for their outstanding efforts in a difficult year: Mark Beson, Robert Moore, Ron Ellsworth, Craig Piercey, Cory Reid, Robert Decker, Michelle Brown, Stephen Shepherd, Trent Squires, Joe Wells, Keith Bradbury, Rob Burton and Pat Higgins.

Realtor Tammi Gloeckler from RE/MAX of Swift Current is one of more than 230 RE/MAX agents across Saskatchewan who support Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation through the Miracle Home Program. Tammi’s own family experienced firsthand the difference RE/MAX agents’ contributions can make; her grandson Emmet, born in June 2018, was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition that affected his liver and kidneys, necessitating numerous surgeries during his 22 months of life. Sadly, Emmet passed away from complications related to an infection. Tammi continues to support the Foundation in his honour. “The ending of my grandson’s story wasn’t the one we had hoped for,” she says, “and sadly, it is sometimes the same one other families face. The more support we have for the children’s hospital, the more happy endings we can help create.”

Although the pandemic changed the way houses were bought and sold, the housing market in the region of McMaster Children’s Hospital Foundation was strong. RE/MAX agents remained active in the Miracle Home Program, with some reaching their highest ever levels of support. Agents from RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc. Brokerage offices raised over $70,000 for the cause, while RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc. Brokerage continued to focus on enrolling agents into the program to drive future philanthropic support. The Hamilton and Burlington offices also achieved impressive results this year, helping to ensure that McMaster Children’s Hospital continues to connect children and families from Niagara Falls to Brantford to Burlington with the very best pediatric treatment and care.

RE/MAX agents across Québec work tirelessly to support children’s health through Opération Enfant Soleil (OES). One of Québec’s most active and passionate OES supporters is Nathalie Théorêt from RE/MAX D’ICI. Through years of fundraising effort, Nathalie and her team have developed a wide range of creative and successful initiatives – from car rallies to concerts – all with a single focus: making a positive difference in the lives of sick and injured children. Cumulatively, Nathalie has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for CMN, bringing pride and inspiration to agents, brokers, and staff across Québec and beyond.

Andrew Attia of Attia & Associates Real Estate Professionals with RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc. Brokerage is a fundraising force. Andrew’s support for SickKids is astounding in its energy and results, and his record is only growing. A generous participant in the Miracle Home Program, Andrew also organizes fundraising golf tournaments and other local events in support of SickKids. His rise through SickKids’ Top 30 RE/MAX fundraising ranks has been strong and steady: 16th in 2018, 9th in 2019, and 3rd overall in 2020. Andrew is the top SickKids fundraiser in his brokerage, RE/MAX Real Estate Centre, and is surely part of the reason why the brokerage has climbed to #2 overall this year. While friendly competition helps to drive Andrew, his primary motivation is the difference SickKids makes for children’s health in Southern Ontario and around the world.

Real Estate in Northern Alberta was a rollercoaster this year, thanks in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic. The usually busy spring market was slow to start but business came booming back in some areas. While real estate activity drove many generous Miracle Home Program donations, RE/MAX agents also took the initiative to support the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation in other ways, including birthday fundraisers, Halloween pumpkin sales, and fundraising runs. Agents also support the Stollery Kids store and many stepped up during the RE/MAX Season of Miracles national campaign to top up their Miracle Home Program donations or make a one-time donation if they weren’t already part of the program.