September 18, 2010 - 9:22pm
When Dana and Cobus Swarts began looking for a home in Nanaimo, they found out their real estate investment could also be an investment in the education of students at Vancouver Island University.
Through the VIU Foundation’s Realty Referral Program, participating realtors donate 25 per cent of their net commission from purchases and sales of property to, or referred by, VIU staff, students, faculty or alumni. These contributions are used for student awards, scholarships and bursaries.
Dana Swarts, an admissions and registration assistant at VIU, and Cobus Swarts, a VIU math professor, said the program had multiple benefits as they relocated from Victoria.
“Being new in Nanaimo, we wouldn’t have known where to start looking for a realtor, and we feel very fortunate to have had an experienced realtor like Dave Hammond working with us on purchasing our new home,” Dana said.
Remax realtors Dave Hammond, Greg Bullock and Ian Thompson of the HBT Group recently presented a cheque for $8,150 to VIU, proceeds from their participation in the Realty Referral Program over the past year. The Rob Grey Real Estate Team and Ken X. Westfall are also participating in the program.
Hammond said the concept for the program emerged as realtors who were already strong supporters of VIU looked for a creative way to strengthen their partnership with the university.
“This program is based on what we do on a day-to-day basis,” Hammond said. “With all the potential, there’s no reason the program can’t provide $50,000 to $100,000 to the Foundation each year.”
“We are extremely grateful to the realtors and members of the VIU community who support this program,” said Foundation chair Wahid Ali. “Vancouver Island University has more than 2,000 employees and many thousands more alumni and students. Realty referrals provide tangible benefits to realtors, their clients and our students.”
Dana and Cobus Swarts found their new home near Linley Valley and hope to see others take part in the innovative fundraising program.
“I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants the care and expertise of a prominent realtor, with the bonus of helping contribute to student awards, scholarships and bursaries at VIU,” said Dana Swarts. “We participated because we had the opportunity to support VIU students by doing something we were going to do anyway. And, we needed a realtor and feel very fortunate to have had Dave Hammond working for us.”
Realtors and members of the VIU community who are interested in the Realty Referral Program can contact Susie Caswell, VIU Development and Alumni, Manager Annual Campaign at susie.caswell@viu.ca or 250-740-6216.
On the web: http://www.viu.ca/giving/AnnualProgram.asp
Tags: In the Community
