The London and St. Thomas Association of Realtors (LSTAR) supported the 16th Ontario Realtors Care Foundation Motorcycle Ride for Charity, which raises financial support for causes related to shelters in Ontario.

Adam Miller, LSTAR’s 2023 chair, explains, “LSTAR Realtor members have deep roots of supporting shelter-related organizations. With inflation and affordability challenges, charitable organizations are needed more than ever to help our neighbours in need.”

Events in London

The two-day ride across the province aimed to do just that. LSTAR helped out by hosting the riders at an end-of-day event on day one, followed by a kickoff breakfast the next morning.

Close to 35 riders started in Whitby and ended in Windsor, also riding through Brampton, Guelph, Brantford, London, Sarnia and Chatham.

Most funds raised in event history

This year’s ride was the most successful in its history of over a decade and a half. The provincial event has raised over $46,000 so far (donations are still being accepted through the charity’s website).

“We couldn’t have gotten there without each rider’s fundraising efforts and the support of all Ontario real estate boards and associations, including those along our route representing Central Lakes, Toronto, Guelph, Brantford, London and St. Thomas, Sarnia-Lambton, Chatham-Kent and Windsor-Essex,” expresses Shannon Ketelaars, executive director of the Ontario Realtors Care Foundation, about this year’s ride.

She says, “We also had incredible sponsors, like Appraisal Institute of Canada’s Ontario arm and #Mindshare101. Bringing all of these incredibly philanthropic stakeholders in the real estate business together gave us results beyond our wildest dreams. The funds raised will go a long way toward supporting shelter-related charities in Ontario.”

Photo shows participants in the 2023 Motorcycle Ride for Charity at LSTAR headquarters
Credit: Stacey Rodas