Toronto Real Estate Board Encouraging REALTORS to Aid in Hurricane
Relief Fund

TORONTO, October 1, 2004-Toronto Real Estate Board President Ron Abraham is encouraging REALTORS across Canada to make a contribution to the Canadian Red Cross in the wake of September’s devastating hurricanes.

Working with the Red Cross, TREB has made an online form available for its Members to donate.

"The last time an incident took so many lives in this part of the world was September 11, 2001 and that was the last time that we pooled our resources as a profession to make a contribution," said Mr. Abraham.

While both Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne impacted the Southeastern United States, their affects on some of the poorest countries in the Eastern Caribbean were particularly catastrophic.

Hurricane Ivan hit Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago. Hurricane Jeanne struck the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.

It is estimated that the hurricanes’ death toll will exceed 2,000 and clean up efforts will cost as much as $10 billion. The greatest loss of life occurred in Haiti, the most impoverished country in the Americas.

"Thousands of Canadians enjoy the sun and sand that these countries offer every winter. We now have an opportunity to show our concern not only as Canadians, but as a professional community," said Mr. Abraham.

"Real estate has been the driving force behind our country’s sustained economic strength. As REALTORS, I hope that we can all afford to give a little so that together, we can make a big difference."

To make a donation please visit Red Cross at www.redcross.ca

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* Please note that TREB counts by business or sales days. In a 30 day month, there will usually be about 20 sales days, depending on when the weekends fall, holidays,
and so on.