One of our passions (besides real estate of course) is getting involved in international charity. We’re always on the lookout for fun ways to help out. When we heard about an opportunity to raise $10,000 to build a school in Sierra Leone we were super excited, and wanted to share it with you! Here’s some background on the campaign.
1. We have been supporting an amazing group of kids and teachers in Sierra Leone (West Africa) over the past year and it’s been so cool to get involved and help out financially. Patricia and I have been contributing towards the operation of the school BUT what they really need is a school building.
2. Why raise money to build schools?? In terms of donating to international development, building a school has to be the BEST investment possible. If you are looking to see a return on your donation, and want your money to make a real and lasting change in a community, then education is the number one way to accomplish this. Nelson Mandela sums this up nicely – “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.“
3. Why Sierra Leone?? Remember the movie Blood Diamond with Matt Damon? Well, that was based in Sierra Leone. Although the war is over, the country remains one of the world’s poorest nations in the world.
4. Why CAUSE Canada?? My parents founded and have been running an organization called CAUSE Canada for the past 28 years. I know for a fact that the money we raise will go directly towards building a school in Sierra Leone. CAUSE is involved in tons of different projects throughout West Africa and Central America and are experts when it comes to efficient development work.
And here is the super exciting part – we’re building a school in Sierra Leone with 33 of our friends, families, and clients. We’ve organized it for that it’s a dollar amount that everyone can afford! Here’s a 2 min video explaining how 33 normal people can come together to achieve something extraordinary, and be the change the world needs! If you want to help out then jump on-board. Or if you have any questions send us a quick email.
http://pocketchangeheroes.com/christinaandpatricia/?page_id=708&narration=cause-narration
From time to time in my travels throughout Victoria I encounter people who really stand apart form the rest. Best described as ‘Awesome’ local designer Angelique Bulosan really shines in her commitment to her craft and the happines of her clients. Creative, Chic, Classic, Funky and Environmentally Conscientious all at once isn’t easily balanced but Angelique has found the platform on which they stand in unison.
I’m not the only one who thinks so…did I mention one of her latest designs is a FINALIST for the very prestigious CARE Award! A description of Angelique’s design in her own words:
Kitchen was nominated as a finalist in the 2011 Care Awards
Kitchen
My statement about the kitchen design: The island gables play with the juxtaposition of the two finishes while thoughtfully placed stainless steel accents add to the sleek look. The “ice glass” backsplash, which was carried through the space to the beverage center’s cabinet doors, is a green product made from repurposed glass. This kitchen has all the bells and whistles boasting multiple roll out pantries, small appliance lifts, integrated tv on a swing arm concealed by a stainless steel look tambour door, built in step stool, motion sensor puck lights, three sinks – all made from a durable granite acrylic composite – coloured to match the quartz counters and the double dishwashers, fridge and freezer are concealed with integrated panels.
Beverage Center
Powder Room
Remember when you looked into your mothers jewellry box for the first time? I recreated that awe and wonder for this tiny and angular powder room. The challenging shape was the foundation of my creativity.
Powder Room Cabinetry
I put extra storage in every nook and cranny I could. The space from an awkward and small hallway closet beside the powder room was used to create this vanity with extra storage tucked behind the door.
Master Ensuite Vanity
Fireplace in family room by kitchen
Metallic paint on the columns relates to the stainless accents and lowered costs while achieving the look I wanted.
Fireplace in living room
Front Door
I designed this custom entry way to relate to the inside renovation perfectly. The post lights up! Will post a picture of that soon!
“There was an ease to working with Angelique… she made the whole space flow together… she presented us with solutions we didn’t even think of, like how to modernize the old bay window; that part was a bonus… We love the space and feel that working with her really took the stress off of us.” – Rosalyn
During the course of this renovation I lent my design knowledge to my clients for other various parts of the house so the entire three floors and exterior would relate to each other. I had a blast working on this project and could not have asked for better clients to work with.
To connect with Angelique Bulosan and see more of her design visit http://angeliquebulosan.blogspot.com/.
Check back with us for progress on the 2011 CARE Awards.
Pemberton Holmes has been providing real estate services in Victoria since 1887. It’s no wonder that traces of the company’s founders are found throughout the community.
An interesting historical side-note the founder of our company J.D. Pemberton and his wife Theresa made some significant donations in their lifetime including the donation of the property used for the Victoria Golf Club. As suchVGC has kindly named the annual service award in honour of the family. Below are a couple of pictures taken from an evening of recognition and celebration enjoyed by approximately 100 Members on Thursday, May 5.
Vincent Holmes, great grandson and Richard Holmes great great grandson were in attendance. Mike Holmes did not attend as he was still worried they might remember him from when he used to sneak on the third tee.
Mr. Keith P. Walker was presented with the first Pemberton Award of Merit. This award recognizes outstanding volunteer service to the Club and its Members.
Keith P Walker with Richard Holmes (left) and Vincent (right) Holmes, great grandson and great great grandson of Joseph D. Pemberton.
Hearing Mayor Dean Fortin address the agents at The Professionals Networking lunch last week was a real treat. As real estate professionals interoffice networking is so important because it allows us to better serve our clients by directly networking their homes listed for sale to dozens of agents. It also gives our buyers a leg up because we’re often first to hear about the hottest listings hitting the market.
In addition to networking at this month’s event, our group was kept abreast of not only real estate activity in Victoria but of what our local officials are doing to make Victoria one of the best places in the world to live.
Among many important topics the mayor discussed how important a vibrant Downtown core is to any major city and highlighted that if the vitality of a city’s downtown was lost that the effects could be devastating and it’s recovery difficult. He cited examples of cities such as Detroit that have taken decades to rebound and restore liveliness to their city centres. To maintain both daytime and nightly patronage of Victoria’s downtown programs like the Clean and Safe project have been successfully implemented and continue to improve.
It truly was great of Mayor Dean Fortin to speak to our group and share his vision for Victoria with us. All of the efforts and developments made by council are too many to list here but more information can be found at www.victoria.ca.
This spring it was my great pleasure to have participated on the planning committee of Art Attire 2011. The wearable art fashion show was a fundraiser for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Providing local textiles and fabric artists the opportunity to showcase their amazing work at the gallery. The show was SPECTACULAR!
Now in its second year the event highlights the talents and creativity of local artists and designers.
Thank you to all the artists and volunteers who made this evening a great success and to Jen Steele Photography for taking amazing photos of the night!
The World Partnership Walk is Canada’s largest annual event dedicated to raising funds and increasing awareness to fight global poverty.
The walk was held in Vancouver, Toronto and Victoria at Beacon Hill Park and raised $2 million dollars for the world’s poor.
We were touched to hear the guest of honour Naz Rayani address the crowd. All of the energy he brought to organizing this among many walks in Victoria was inspiring.
Manning the mini golf station with the folks from Prospect Lake Golf Course was a blast!
We were thrilled to support such a fantastic event and be a part of this tremendous fundraising effort!
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the Pemberton Holmes ‘Power to Play’ relay team. We had a great, and very MESSY day racing in the pouring rain. The relay was organized by a local Victorian charity which helps to provide underprivileged, and disabled kids with fabulous outdoor experiences and the big relay raised over $110,000!
I completed on a team with the Managing Broker Mike Homles, and some fellow Realtors Andrew Plank, and Riley Janes and I’m happy to announce we crossed the finish line 2nd, but were bumped to 4th when we realized we mixed up one of the challenges. Too bad! Next year we’ll go for 1st!
I’d encourage everyone to check out the Power to Be site and I’ll leave everyone a few photos which will nicely illustrate just how rainy, messy, muddy and FUN the big race was.
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