Cam Espina holds The Awesome Music Project a book he contributed a story to alongside fellow Canadians Chris Hadfield Sarah McLachlan Theo Fleury and Madeleine Thien. All proceeds from the book support music and mental health research initiatives. /SUE TIFFIN Staff

Local realtors show they care about Heat Bank

By Angelica Ingram

Under the bright sunshine and warm fall air a group of local realtors gathered at Abbey Gardens on Nov. 3 to take a break from selling houses and roll up their sleeves to chop firewood.

An initiative of the Muskoka Haliburton Orillia Lakelands Association of Realtors the group was splitting and stacking all morning in support of Heat Bank Haliburton County an organization that helps vulnerable residents with access to emergency heat.

The Heat Bank was the recipient of a grant through the Realtors Care Program which is funded by  each member of the Lakelands Association who give $2 a month to the program. There are more than 680 members.

“Sometimes we just come out and help like today” said Debbie Vernon a director with the association. “The Heat Bank is a wonderful program.”
The wood was donated by Peter Schleifenbaum owner/operator of the Haliburton Forest. The Heat Bank works in partnership with A Place Called Home.