So, here it is deadline time again, and Jim Adair, editor supreme, has granted me a last-minute deadline of 24 hours.
It’s not that I didn’t think of several ideas to talk to our readers about, it’s the fact that since joining this new office in Vaughan, Ont., I haven’t had a whole lot of time to commiserate about what I could either coach you dear readers about, or give a rant about a system or product that may be of interest to you.
Since 2004, I have been contributing to this fine magazine and continue to receive, for the most part, good reviews. (I can’t please everyone!) Often I am asked, “Where do you get your ideas?” Well, sometimes it’s from something I’ve read or been exposed to and the fingers start flying on my laptop. This month’s article, however, has nothing to do with real estate, the economy, or even Buyer Agency.
This summer, I had the opportunity to connect with an old friend of mine in Belleville, Ont., where I began my career. Robert (Bob) Howell and I did a lot of real estate deals but I lost contact with him through a mystifying set of circumstances.
He was involved in the ambulance business for many years, and subsequently had to sell the business to the provincial government years back and he retired, for the most part. In the early ’90s he became friends with a psychologist, the late Dr. Harold Goldsman, in the Quinte area. Goldsman had a great idea to help single moms with “at risk” children and formed an organization called Abigail’s Club, named after the doctor’s gifted daughter.
So, he and Bob, with little assistance, set up a facility for a segment of our population that had very little support, other than from the welfare system.
Since 1995, some financial support for the organization has come from the province, the city and at times the United Appeal.
The facility offers the opportunity for moms to take correspondence courses and/or find work, while it provides an excellent day care for the kids. Summer camps, pre-school education, culinary arts and much more are offered by this unique organization.
Bob has worked tirelessly at this community project, even after the founding principal passed away a few years ago. The organization is a non-profit and has been so from day one.
In our business, many of us have given back to the community in many forms and many shapes. I have given much of my time in the past to the Children’s Miracle Network and the Run for the Cure. We make a great deal of money in our business and maybe it’s time for more of us to consider giving back to worthwhile causes like Abigail’s Club.
What can you do to give back to your community? If you’re interested in more information about Abigail’s Learning Centre in Belleville, my long lost friend Bob Howell is managing director and would love to hear from you.
I hope you enjoy reading about this worthwhile endeavour and if you do, let me know at stanalb@rogers.com
“Part of being a person is about helping others” – Seth Caplan
Stan Albert, broker/manager, ABR, ASA at Re/Max Premier in Vaughan, Ont. can be reached for consultation at stanalb@rogers.com. Stan is now celebrating 40 years as an active real estate professional.
Stan Albert, ABR, ASA is a consultant with Re/Max Premier in Vaughan, Ont. He can be reached for consultation by email. Stan is now celebrating his 45th year as an active real estate professional.
