By Brenda Baker, Sales Representative, EXIT Realty Vision, Brokerage in Carleton Place, ON
The Capital City Condors are a family of ice hockey teams for those who are unable to play on any other hockey team due to a cognitive and/or physical disability. Players are ages six and up, of all ability levels, and are each given a high degree of personal care and attention by the Condors on-ice coaches.
I chose this charity because, as a hockey mom, I know what an amazing sport this is for kids, their confidence, and overall development. The Condors extend this opportunity to so many kids who would otherwise not have the opportunity to skate at all, let alone be part of a hockey team, something that many of them have dreamed of doing, but didn’t think would ever be able to in reality.
The Condors try to keep the cost manageable for families who often have large medical bills to face already. They don’t want finances to be a barrier standing in the way of the kids’ opportunities.
I organized a 5k run to raise funds with a registration fee of $40 per participant all going to the Condor organization. Our hope was to raise enough money to buy new jerseys for the close to 150 kids who will be participating in the upcoming hockey season. Extra funds will be used to help pay for the nationwide tournament that the Condors will be hosting in March. This event allows special needs hockey teams from across the country to come to the area and have a wonderful time playing against other teams, something they rarely, if ever, get to do.
The day was a great success! It was advertised on local race registration sites as well as shared extensively on social media. EXIT was well represented at the race, with EXIT signage all along the race route, our brokerage’s EXIT tent set up, and all volunteers wearing our EXIT Realty hockey jerseys! Each participant received a swag bag with the EXIT logo on them as well, and they got a finisher’s medal when they crossed the finish line. Everyone was so excited to know that the Spirit of EXIT would be matching the funds raised.
A portion of every transaction fee received by EXIT Realty Corp. International is applied to its charitable fund. Through the Spirit of EXIT Dollar-for-Dollar Matching Program, EXIT offices and associates can raise money for local, approved, registered charities and apply to EXIT’s head office to have those funds matched from the company’s pool of funds. Brenda and her team of professionals raised $4,141.93, which EXIT’s head office was proud to match, for a total donation of $8,283.86 to Capital City Condors.
“Your generous kindness makes dreams come true, not just for players, but for parents who had given up on one day being a “Hockey Mom or Dad”. It enables us to purchase adapted equipment to assist those who need even extra measures of care and safety. It builds confidence and community, and literally changes lives! Thank you so much for your tremendous efforts and care. We are intensely grateful,” said Jim Perkins, President & Co-Founder of Capital City Condors.
