Peterborough real estate agent Mark Sokolski and his team at The Sokolski Real Estate Group have made an incredible donation of $41,952 to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton. Mr. Sokolski raised funds for the YWCA by participating in the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation’s Ecuador Challenge for Shelter.
In November, Mr. Sokolski joined more than 100 other Canadian Royal LePage staff members and travelled to Ecuador in South America, where they spent 5 days trekking toward Mount Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.
Mr. Sokolski spent significant time throughout 2023 doing increasingly challenging training activities to build up stamina for the trip. His fundraising efforts also started over a year ago, as he canvassed personal and professional contacts from our community and beyond to make donations toward his goal of $50,000. He exceeded that goal, raising $52,440, with 20% going to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation and 80% going directly to our local YWCA.
In total, the group travelling to Ecuador raised $1,700,000, which is the most money ever raised by a single 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, Director of Philanthropy, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton. “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 generous donation will support YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s lifesaving 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.