b'Past chairperson Ralph Fairman, with todays chairperson Daphne Kalliomaki, representing the Port Perry RealtorsPort Perry, realtors from all overfour students; among the four whom one is a Breakfast Group, a group of 25-35 agents strong. the township are welcome. student in the small placement or special edu-WeareScugogstrong!shecationclasses.Daphnespeersvotedunani-said.Thisisagroupofsmart,mouslyandpassionatelytoupliftthesekids talented professional people whoand show that they are important.really care about their clients. Ourlocalrealtorsareonfirewhenit Its not just all about business,comes to supporting the community, Daphne Daphne pointed out. Its all aboutcommented. being part of the community andAs well as the Port Perry Realtors Breakfast giving back. Groupsgenerouscontributions,shepointed ThePortPerryRealtorsout that local real estate companies and indi-Breakfast Group was establishedvidual agents are famous for helping out good in 1978, when a few realtors metlocal causes. Examples range from sponsoring to talk about raising funds to assistthe Ribfest to supplying jerseys for kids sports an agent who was suffering fromteams.health problems. Daphne reported that before the COVID pan-Ourphilosophyistohelpdemic, 80% of real estate listings in Scugog were eachotherfirst,Daphnenoted.by local realtors. Since COVID, only 11% of the Recently, they purchased a beauti- listings are by local realtors. Why is a mystery?ful crab apple tree for a member Local realtors know the local market best,whose mother passed away. Over she noted.theyears,theyhavefinanciallyDaphne explained that they are knowledge-assistedfamilieswholosttheirable about everything from Internet quality to S.A.CAWKERGIVING PORT PERRYhomes in fires, people who had carschools and recreation to whether town water OPERATION SCHOOLPROGRAM FORHIGH SCHOOLaccidents, or those who couldntandsewerservicesareprovided,etc.Local SCUGOG PLAYGROUND OUR SENIORS BURSARIES afford medications. agents also live; work and shop to spend their Amazing,awesomeandas- earned income in their hometown. They volun-tonishingwerethewordsthatteer and donate locally, she added. he Port Perry RealtorsDaphneusedtodescribeherWhen buying or selling a property, Daphne Have you heard of the Breakfast Group , com- groups accomplishments. suggests asking a relative, neighbour or friend prised of local real estateWehavelimitedfunds,to recommend a local real estate agent. Port Perry Realtorsagents, is the only one ofsheexplained.WedontdoanyBefore you sign up with any realtor, Daphne Breakfast Group? its kind in the region of Durham,fundraising. suggests that you ask what they have done to and possibly the GTA, explainedBy suggested donation, mem- contribute to your local community.chairpersonDaphneKalliomakiberspayanannualfeeof$125.We are locals, dealing with locals, and keep-They know our of Ball Real Estate. This group isNon-member realtors can drop ining it local, she described.market inside out! under the auspices of the Durhamto attend a meeting for $5. Ironically,themembersofthePortPerry Region Association of Realtors. Awhoppingtotalof$20,000RealtorsBreakfastGroupdontactuallyeat Whileindividualrealtorsandindonations,werewrittensincebreakfast together. brokerage firms have the reputa- 2017 to assist local individuals andBuying food would take money out of our tion of being very competitive, thisorganizations. funds that are needed to help the community, READorganizationisuniquebecauseThe charities supported includeDaphne concluded. NEWPortPerryRealtors itsallaboutworkingtogether.Operation Scugog, Precious Minds,Checkoutthe The annual membership of 25 - 35the second arena ice pad, the S. A.BreakfastGroupFacebookpagetomeetthe ALLagentsrepresentsapproximatelyCawkerschoolplaygroundfundmemberagents,representingmanydifferent 10differentrealestateagenciesand the Gift Giving Program forbrokerage firms.and brokerages. They meet onceseniors in the nursing home.Buying or selling your homeuse a local ABOUTa week at the Scout Hall to shareSince1979,bursarieswereagent! By Lynn Campbell, Focus on Scugognewlistingsandtakeacaravanestablishedforthestudentsof tour to view the properties. CartwrightHighSchool(now IT Wearetheonlygroupwithclosed)andPortPerryHighBuying or selling your home?multiple brokerages who do this,School.The current annual dona-Daphnesaid.Despitethenametionof$600isdividedbetween Use a local agent!8 FOCUS - JUNE 2022'