MINDEMOYA—Manitoulin real estate agent Leanne Lewis raised over $12,000 for Manitoulin Family Resources’ (MFR) intimate partner violence education and programming by taking part in the Ecuador Challenge for Shelter in November. Last week, Ms. Lewis presented a cheque in the amount of $12,283 to MFR.
“We’re so grateful for the continued support of Leanne and the Royal Lepage team,” stated Colleen Miller, executive director of MFR. “This funding will go toward programs and programming for women in the (Haven House) shelter, enhancing what is already in place.”
“Leanne certainly raised a lot of money, it is amazing what she accomplished,” said Ms. Miller.
Ms. Lewis’ original goal for the Ecuador trek was to raise a total of $10,000 but with the tremendous support she received from the community in fundraising, she far surpassed this amount.
In October 2022 Ms. Lewis had submitted her name on an application to be selected from Royal Lepage North Heritage Realty Brokerage agents across Canada to be one of the approximately 120 selected to go on the trek to Ecuador.
Ms. Lewis had explained at the time, “Prior to becoming a real estate agent, I worked for 25 plus years in various roles in the social service field. My last job prior to becoming a real estate agent was shelter manager for the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Genevra House (Sudbury)” where she worked for three years. “I have come full circle now and am able to do something to give back to women and children who are suffering every day from domestic violence.”
“We will be trekking towards some of the highest volcanoes in the world (nearly 4,000 metres above sea level) over five days, crossing difficult terrain in unpredictable conditions,” she said previously.
Participants slept in tents and went without indoor plumbing, electricity and cell service to raise funds for Canadian women’s shelters and programs to help end family violence. She explained the highest point she climbed was Pasochoa which reaches heights of 4,200 metres above sea level. They reached the base of the Cotopaxi volcano on day five.
Ms. Lewis went with one of four groups of about 30 people on each walk. They would get up at 6 am, take part in their walk and be back at camp between 4:30-5 pm every day. The participants walked about 100 kilometres over the five days.
Carly Neill, fundraiser and communications manager for the Royal Lepage Shelter Foundation said, “It is incredible what Leanne raised. She certainly exceeded what she had set out to raise in funds. Eighty percent of what each participant raises stays at the local women’s shelter. Then the rest goes to the national domestic violence prevention and education programs.”
Ms. Neill said last fall’s trek was the fifth Ecuador Challenge, with Royal Lepage realtors taking part every two years. “I have been fortunate to take part in all of them,” she said, pointing out, “We’re at over $4 million having been raised for shelters through these trekking adventures.”
