Habitat for Humanity is our chosen corporate charity, and while we all support many other good causes, this is one we support together as a team!  This month half our team donned hard hats and tool belts while the other half kept the business running for our clients!  We have the wonderful privilege of helping families purchase homes every day.  Supporting Habitat allows us the joy of helping some folks who otherwise might not enjoy that fantastic pride of ownership feeling.  It was a great day and I”m so proud of our team for the time and energy they put into this worthy cause!

Submitted by Kathy Schmidt, Broker Owner of Schmidt Realty Group Inc.

On October 4, Habitat for Humanity will join efforts around the world to mark World Habitat Day – a day the United Nations has set aside to call attention to the dire need for affordable, adequate housing.Click the link below to see facts, videos, photos, banners and even a way to submit your own photo to the World Habitat Day Photo Wall!

http://worldhabitatdaynews.org

Martin Luther King said:
“Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”

Thanks to the internet and social networks like Facebook to get the word out, it’s easier than ever to make a difference.  Today I signed up for The Literacy Site.  The Literacy Site provides a feel-good way to help promote awareness of the importance of literacy — through easy and quick online activities.  The way I see it, if a child anywhere in this world is encouraged and help to read, we all benefit.

With a simple, daily click of the “Click Here to Give – it’s FREE” button at The Literacy Site, visitors help provide free books to children in need. Visitors pay nothing. The distribution of these books are paid for by sponsors and accomplished through charitable partners, First Book and Room to Read.  Every click counts in the fight for literacy.

And if you’re like me, you’ll appreciate the option to have a daily reminder emailed to you so you remember to Click To Give every day.  It’s easy and it matters.  Just think, you’re reading this blog because someone taught YOU to read.

Contributed by Kathy Schmidt, Broker Owner Schmidt Realty Group Inc

We have all heard the news and seen the images of the huge tragedy in Haiti. It is overwhelming to think about the resources needed for the Haiti people to begin to recover, but if we each do something (big or small) we CAN make a difference!  Our team supports World Vision in a variety of ways and so Larry and I as business owners have chosen to support the relief efforts in Haiti through this incredible organization. 

Canadians can now donate $5 to World Vision on their cell phones. Simply text “WORLD” to 45678. A one-time donation toward relief efforts in Haiti will be added to your mobile phone bill. Standard messaging rates and additional fees may apply.  What could be easier?

A donation of $110 to through World Vision to Haiti earthquake victims provides two families with an invaluable emergency kit.   And until February 12th, the Canadian government will match your donation made to double the impact of your giving!  This means that same donation of $110 provides an emergency kit to four families! Click here to learn more about how you can help!

However you choose to support the people of Haiti, never lose sight of the fact that every dollars make a difference.  Let’s keep the giving going!

Contributed by Kathy Schmidt, Broker Owner of Schmidt Realty Group Inc.

Our neighbour was on CBC radio this morning talking about a new organization called OPERATION FRUIT RESCUE EDMONTON! Rather than letting fruit go to waste, if you have fruit in your yard that needs picking, call this group! 

One third of the fruit goes to the homeowner, one third to the volunteer fruit pickers, and one third to the food bank! I love it! Here is the link to learn more http://ofre.wordpress.com/about/ 

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Fruit Tree/Fruit contacts – Jessica Roder and Sarah Cashmore will be the contacts for fruit-owners through a central email. Jessica’s phone number is 780-757-4978 and email is: ofredm@gmail.com.
Pickers: for those interested in being pickers, please email ivormack@telusplanet.net or Jessica Roder at ibreathewater@yahoo.ca.

Contributed by Kathy Schmidt, Broker Owner of Schmidt Realty Group Inc.

Many inspirational quotes and stories arrive in my inbox daily and while they are all uplifting, I have chosen to post only the best of the best on our blog.  Today I received a piece that leaped off the screen as soon as I read the first line. 

“When you love the work you do and the people you do it with, you matter.”

I do love the work I do.  And I do love the people I do it with – my colleagues and our clients!  I matter!  And so do all of you reading this today.  I encourage you to pass this one along.  And if you’re interested in the source, visit Seth Godin’s blogsite. Seth is an incredibly insightful “marketing philosopher” – that’s my description and hopefully he would agree.  Seth discusses not only changes in technology affecting how we communicate our message but he also addresses the heart of the matter which is the content and quality of the message itself.  I am a fan!

Here is the whole post, for your enjoyment. 

When you love the work you do and the people you do it with, you matter.
When you are so gracious and generous and aware that you think of other people before yourself, you matter.
When you leave the world a better place than you found it, you matter.
When you continue to raise the bar on what you do and how you do it, you matter.
When you teach and forgive and teach more before you rush to judge and demean, you matter.
When you touch the people in your life through your actions (and your words), you matter.
When kids grow up wanting to be you, you matter.
When you see the world as it is, but insist on making it more like it could be, you matter.
When you inspire a Nobel prize winner or a slum dweller, you matter.
When the room brightens when you walk in, you matter.

Contributed by Kathy Schmidt, Broker Owner of Schmidt Realty Group Inc.

And when the legacy you leave behind lasts for hours, days or a lifetime, you matter.

“Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.” Anais Nin

Most of us at one time or another dream of travelling to new and beautiful places, and of course at this time of year we also dream of being somewhere warm and sunny!  Travel is something we all value at SCHMIDT, and although our dreams and destinations differ, we each look forward to meeting new people, seeing new sights and then bringing photos and video of our adventures home to share with friends and family.  From time to time we’ll post some of our travel photos here for you to enjoy.  And if ever you are planning a trip to a similar destination, we hope you will get in touch so we can share some of our special places with you!

Personally, I love cities. I love their energy!  “For me, cities are like people, with souls and temperaments of their own.” says Arthur Symons.   I agree!  The shopping, restaurants, and people watching all really appeal to me.  While Larry also enjoys a city vacation, he is happiest outside the city limits and preferably near the ocean.  A few years ago we enjoyed a bit of both by cruising the Mexican Riviera.  A cruise ship is like its own city and we had time during the day to enjoy small ports of call and some beautiful beaches.  This photo was taken after an amazing lunch of fresh fish tacos.  When I came home and was compiling our photos, I came across this quote that says it best… 

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.” anonymous

Here are some great quotes to challenge us to be our best selves as we begin this year. My favourite is the one that speaks about “living with intention, walking to the edge, and playing with abandon…” I just might make this quote my personal mission statement!    
Kathy Schmidt

“Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.”
Mary Anne Roadacher-Hershey

“Change cannot be avoided … change provides the opportunity for innovation. It gives you the chance to demonstrate your creativity.”
Felice Jones

“It only takes on person to change your life – you.”
Ruth Casey

“God gives talent, work transforms talent into genius.”
Anna Pavloa