Real estate agent Morley Bryant recently won a full-colour, quarter-page ad in the Times 91原创, and she wasn’t immediately sure what to do with it.
The veteran Royal LePage Coast Capital agent knows an opportunity when she sees one, however, and she quickly turned a windfall into a big win for the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund.
In a market where homes are often listed and sold within 24 hours, advertising properties for sale wasn’t a top priority, and she’s just not comfortable with promoting herself in a space that big.
“It’s a lot of real estate,” she said with a laugh. “I’m never going to promote myself with a quarter of a page.”
But like many agents, Bryant saw the potential in the well-appointed space.
“I had a thought that I can get 11 colleagues to each kick in $100 to put out a ‘happy holidays’ greeting and the money will be donated to the ,” she said.
Within a few minutes of making calls, she had the Christmas Fund dozen who would share the space and provide $1,200 for the fund.
“It’s just some good cheer,” said Bryant, who was joined in the space by Royal LePage Coast Capital colleagues Sarah West, Tammy Hatter, Kami Norman Christina Grey, Maurice Connor, Craig Toker, Mark McDougall, Bill Ethier, Alli Munro, Allen Krutz and Brendan Phillips.
Bryant said the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund was top of mind as the world continues to struggle through the pandemic.
“I’m a big believer in it, I’ve given to it in the past and the TC has done some amazing work with the Rapid Relief Fund over the last couple of years — it has really served a need in the community,” she said. She hopes other companies or groups will follow her colleagues’ example.
Since 1956, the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund has been raising money at this time of year for the less fortunate. Funds donated by readers are distributed through local agencies. Last year, the fund raised $1.24 million for those in need in the community.
HOW TO DONATE
You can donate by going to the . That takes you to the CanadaHelps website, which provides an immediate tax receipt.
Or mail a cheque to the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund, 201-655 Tyee Road, Victoria, B.C. V9A 6X5.
You can also use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
