President Bonnie Looby from OnePoint Association of REALTORS® (OnePoint) proudly kicked off the 2025 Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation Motorcycle Ride of Charity on the morning of September 24. The ride raises critical funds to support local shelter and food-related charities in communities across Ontario. Its goal is to help people with access to basic necessities like food, shelter, and safety.
Over the next two days, dozens of riders from across Ontario will come together and travel hundreds of kilometres for a purpose. They will begin their journey in Collingwood, travel through Wiarton, and board the MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry in Tobermory, wrapping up the first day in Sudbury. On the second day, the ride continues from Sudbury to North Bay, then on to Huntsville, with their journey concluding in Barrie.
Speaking at the launch, OnePoint President Bonnie Looby issued a powerful call to action to all Ontario REALTORS®. All Boards and Associations in Ontario support the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation with at least a $1 donation per month from each REALTOR® member. Looby is calling on realtors to raise the bar with a $3 donation.
“Today, I challenge all Associations and Boards across Ontario to increase your monthly member donations to [$3] per month. It’s a small amount, but when we all participate, the impact is extraordinary. With approximately 100,000 REALTORS® in Ontario, we could double our contributions to more than $3.5 million annually. Imagine what we could accomplish if we all gave just a little more, every month, all year long. Let’s show what REALTORS® can do when we work together,” said Looby in a media release.
In 2024, the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation awarded $1.8 million in grants to community organizations across Ontario, marking a significant contribution to its mission of supporting shelter-related causes.
The need has never been greater. According to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario:
- In Ontario, 45% of tenant households spend 30% or more of their income on shelter – the highest rate in Canada. By 2025, an estimated 160,000 households will spend more than 50% of their income on rent.
- Food bank usage is up 42% over the past 3 years alone – one-third of these visitors were using food banks for the first time.
- There is not enough affordable community housing – 200,000 Ontarians are waiting years for access to social housing. At least 99,000 new units would be required to meet this need.
“This ride and the Foundation’s work remind us that everyone deserves a safe place to call home and access to basic necessities,” stated Looby. “But real, lasting change will come from sustained support. That’s why I urge all Board and Associations in Ontario to adopt the $3 per month challenge.”
OnePoint extends its thanks to the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation, the riders, generous sponsors, and all those helping to make this year’s Ride for Charity a success.
The OnePoint Association of REALTORS® represents nearly 3,000 real estate professionals across the regions of Huron, Perth, Grey, Bruce, Wellington, Georgian Bay, Simcoe, Parry Sound, Haliburton, and Muskoka.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!
Click here to support local news
0 Comments