Peterborough real estate agent Mark Sokolski and his team at The Sokolski Real Estate Group recently donated $41,952 to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton to support the non-profit organization’s services for women and children experiencing gender-based violence.
Sokolski raised the funds by participating in the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation’s Ecuador Challenge for Shelter in November, when more than 100 Canadian Royal LePage staff members travelled to Ecuador in South America where they spent five days trekking to Mount Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.
To prepare for the challenge, Sokolski spent significant time training throughout 2023 while he also fundraised a total of $52,440, with 20 per cent of the proceeds going to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation and the remainder going to the YWCA. The entire group of Canadian Royal LePage staff who travelled to Ecuador raised $1.7 million, the most ever raised by a single Royal LePage Shelter Foundation event.
“We are absolutely thrilled by how successful Mark’s efforts have been, both in raising money for such a critical need in our community but also in preparing for and enduring one of the most physically gruelling treks possible,” says Tina Thornton, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s director of philanthropy, in a media release.
“We couldn’t be more grateful to The Sokolski Real Estate Group and to all of the community members who donated to Mark’s campaign for helping to make a difference in the lives of those experiencing gender-based violence.”
The Sokolski Real Estate Group’s donation will support YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s programs and safe spaces, including Crossroads Shelter in Peterborough, the START program, Transitional Housing and Outreach program, the Family Court Support program, the Women’s Well-Being counselling and peer support program, and basic necessities and food for women and children staying in safe spaces.
