Throughout the year, the Peggy Hill Team is helping people in Barrie and surrounding areas find their ideal home. But when this team isn’t busy helping their clients buy and sell homes, they can be found doing hands-on work to help their community. Whether it’s assisting with the tornado clean-up this past July or sponsoring local small businesses throughout the pandemic, their commitment to support and give back to their community is an integral part of their work year-round.
With the holiday season fast approaching and the pandemic still affecting so many families and businesses, Hill said the need at this time of the year is greater than ever, and there are many people who could benefit from support.
“The cases may be going down, but people can’t forget that there are still a lot of people suffering, and if anybody is in a position to help, this has to be our year to come together,” said Peggy Hill, owner and operator of RE/MAX Hallmark Peggy Hill Group Realty.
Hill said there are several ways to help that don’t have to involve a huge monetary donation, as even the simplest gesture of support, especially after all we’ve endured with COVID, is appreciated.
“Because of everything we’ve been through, just reaching out to someone can have a tremendous effect because people have been so isolated. The smallest gesture could mean the world to somebody,” she said.
How the Peggy Hill Team gives back during the holidays and ways you can help
On any given day, Hill and her team receive calls or messages from the community requesting help for a charity initiative. Recently, a woman reached out on Facebook requesting help for a group of local teachers with creating gift bags for the David Busby Centre and Elizabeth Fry Society, and Hill was happy to oblige.
“I love when people feel safe and comfortable to reach out and ask for help. I don’t think there’s a greater feeling than that,” she said. "We might not always be able to help, but if we can, we absolutely do.”
Each year, they support the Barrie Food Bank, and with the demand having increased 55 percent since 2019, they need the support more than ever. Other initiatives they support also include Christmas Cheer that provides holiday gifts and meals to families in need, and the Rock 95/KOOL FM Toy Drive.
Whether you donate a toy, sponsor a family, or give monetarily, Hill said everything helps.
“COVID has really affected the charities because they’re not able to go out and get things the way they used to. So, if people find it in themselves to just help even one person or organization, it only takes one to make a difference.”
Shopping local to support small businesses in your community
Supporting local businesses is also something that Hill and her team feel strongly about. She said that when you shop local, you’re also supporting your local economy, and while many businesses were lost during COVID, there are still so many amazing places in Barrie. Some of their favourites include The Barrie Olive Oil Company, Jay’s Sticky Buns, local eatery Bspoke, and The Artisan Boutique.
Hill and her team are committed to supporting and bringing awareness to their community and believe that when you have a community that supports you, you should give that support back. Recently, their commitment was recognized by winning ‘The business that gives back to the community' from the 2021 Barrie Advance Readers Choice Awards.
“It means so much to know that we are in the heart of the community because what means the most to us is that the community has us in their hearts,” she said. “It doesn’t get any better than that.”
The Peggy Hill Team is passionate about supporting the community and offers real estate services from Toronto to Muskoka. If you’re interested in buying or selling, give them a call at 705-739-4455. You can also contact the team or connect with them on their Facebook Page.