There’s strength in numbers, especially when volunteering with a shared goal in mind. TRREB Members Maria Kagan, Anna Shirazi, Anastasia Orlando, Rose Sorbera, Jen Dumitrescu, Kate Czaplinska and Angelica Banas are no strangers to team effort and collaboration.

After seeing the impact caused by the tornado that hit Barrie last summer, Newmarket REALTORS® Maria Kagan and Anna Shirazi jumped in to lend a hand to their fellow community members. The heartbreak of families displaced from their homes got Maria and Anna together to show their support. After a stop at Costco, they filled their trunks with food and essential items, like diapers for newborns.

Anastasia Orlando and Rose Sorbera had a like-minded vision. Together, they kick-started the opening of The Clothes Line, a local thrift store in Bradford. It is run by CONTACT Community Services, a charity for South Simcoe residents who are at risk of homelessness. The shop is near and dear to both Anastasia and Rose who turned to CONTACT at a time of need. The store redirects unwanted clothing and small household items from landfills and offers clothing for free or at affordable prices, and 100% of the profits go towards CONTACT.

This past fall and winter, Jen Dumitrescu invited a friend to take part in a food blind taste test to raise money for Food4Kids. Jen pulled out her blindfold and listened carefully to how her food-tasting sidekick described the item then guessed what it was. The challenge raised $700 and will provide healthy food for kids from at-risk or low-income homes with limited or no food during weekends or the summer when in-school programs are not available.

Jen Dumitrescu (right) preparing for the taste test challenge 

The colder days had Kate Czaplinska and Angelica Banas thinking about how they could give back. “No child should go to school without a warm jacket so we felt that a kid’s coat drive was the perfect initiative to bring to our community,” said Kate and Angelica. They partnered with SafetyNet Children & Youth Services to create a drive that provides clothing for families who need it most. A small goal of 20 coats turned into over 90 coats donated, plus many hats, scarves and mittens.

Kate Czaplinska and Angelica Banas ready to send off a truck full of coats

Learn more about TRREB Members who started with a small goal to give back which later turned into a huge success.

Or, discover how TRREB Members donated $100,000 for British Columbia flood relief efforts through the Canadian Red Cross.