The RE/MAX & Friends Foundation has donated over €85,000 to charitable ventures in 2017, bringing the total it has raised since it was established to more than €300,000.
The Foundation was formed in 2014 to provide financial support to RE/MAX employees should a serious illness arise, while also helping to fund voluntary organisations that focus on children and adolescents suffering from chronic deceases. Other cases may also be considered.
The Foundation was founded in honour of RE/MAX team member Karl Cutajar, who was sadly diagnosed with terminal cancer. This inspired RE/MAX to create a foundation to support other team members and their families in a similar way should the worst happen.
Chief Executive Officer at RE/MAX Malta and Foundation Board Member Kevin Buttigieg, says, "As a large Maltese company, we are aware that we have a lot of lives to support - over 400 - and that is a responsibility we take seriously. Sadly, we know that tragedy can strike within our organisation and we want to be able to lend a helping hand when it does."
While a percentage of the total funds raised are exclusively available to RE/MAX employees and their families when required, the remaining is donated to other charities across Malta, and especially to those benefitting children with chronic illnesses.
"We also feel a responsibility towards the generation of tomorrow - today's children," Mr Buttigieg continues. "The RE/MAX Malta directors have their own personal experiences of loss and know themselves why it is so important to support the work of charities that have been set up to protect and help children in need. They are now using this belief to drive fundraising success for the Foundation."
Most recently, the Foundation has donated €20,000 to Malta's largest fundraising event, L-Istrina in aid of MFCC, €5,000 to Dar Tal-Providenza, €5,000 to the Blossom Foundation, €2,500 to Beating Hearts Malta - the first Maltese Association for adults and children with congenital heart defects, €5,000 to support Mozart at Midnight, and €5,000 to iGaming idol, both later in aide of MFCC.
The Foundation is also a major supporter of Puttinu Cares, which raises money for children suffering from cancer, and it has worked closely with them to improve the Rainbow Ward Anthony Mamo Oncology Unit at Mater Dei. In 2016, the Foundation invested €37,000, which has been used to create a new play area outside the ward, and has since invested a further €48,000 in the design and furnishing of the indoor recreational area. This area was created especially for families to relax together, and features a football-themed corner that looks like a stadium, a theatrical space, a pirate ship, an arts and craft area, and a dolls house feature. This was launched in the presence of President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Health Minister Chris Fearne, and MP Claudette Buttigieg, in the first quarter of 2017.
President Coleiro Preca commented by saying: "We are very proud of RE/MAX, not only because they have taken their corporate social responsibility seriously to raise funds and distribute them to important causes that affect Maltese Society at large but they have led the way in their industry, and today we are seeing many other companies following suit."
Also in 2017, the Foundation was the main sponsor of the Alive Foundation, which raised numerous sums of money in aide of cancer research for children last year. RE/MAX is now delighted to announce that it will play a major role in supporting Alive Foundation in 2018.