A donation to a women’s shelter in the local area has been made by Royal LePage, and the donation was in the amount of $32,000. Unity House, Fort McMurray’s women and children’s shelter, can definitely use the donation to help out the women and children who arrive there. The shelter is operated by Waypoints, and the donation was given in order to make up for donations lost when the wildfire and evacuation meant the shelter missed two fund raising opportunities. The donation also means that Waypoints will be eligible to receive up to an additional $2 million in funding as well. Michele Taylor, executive director of Waypoints, received the cheque from local branch owner Marian Barry and Phil Soper, the Royal LePage president.

Taylor discussed how important the women’s shelter donation from Royal LePage was, and how much good the money will be able to do. “We were expecting a shortfall in our funding for this year. So this coming through for us is a huge relief. That $32,000 is actually worth about 10 times that amount to us. Donations are needed now more than ever. If we can provide healthy relationship support to Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo region families, we may be able to head off those first incidences of domestic violence in families and that’s good for everyone.” Unity House usually receives approximately $30,000 from a May garage sale fundraiser and a June baseball tournament fundraiser, but both were missed this year due to the wildfire and evacuation.