PROUD TO SUPPORT MANDI DRAPER & CHILDREN – RECIPIENT FOR 4TH QUARTER 2020

100Brokers • December 21, 2020

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Mandi Draper & Children, Recipient of the 4th Quarter vote of 2020.

Mandi, a single mother of 5 children has taken leave from work to care and be with her 9 year old daughter who was diagnosed with 2 tumours. Her daughter, Ary will need ear reconstructive surgery and may or may not get her hearing back. She is unsure if both tumours will be removed during surgery or just one, however they will do a biopsy to find out what they are dealing with. Worst case scenario would be squamous cell carcinoma which we are praying is not the case.

Mandi is currently on EI, CCB and Trillium benefits for income along with some child support from her ex. Her LTC employer is guaranteeing her position whenever she chooses to come back. Mandi’s 9% interest mortgage is coming up for renewal in April and my hopes of being able to transfer her to a better rate/lender in April are dwindling as I was planning on using her income from the LTC and school bus as she would have more history to work with, so with her daughter ill and Mandi not working I felt compelled to try and help this family. If Mandi and her family are chosen the money would help pay her mortgage and allow Mandi to be able to care for her daughter longer.

Thank you to Chantal Driscoll for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story

Mandi came to me in March 2020 by referral from a realtor. She is a 32 year old single mother of 5 children who was leaving an abusive marriage. Having been a SAHM during her marriage, when the marriage ended she secured herself 2 jobs in March. One a school bus driver and two a PSW at a LTC.

In comes COVID and schools were cancelled, although still employed with the bus company there were no schools open so her bus driving income could not be used to qualify and there was no history to go on as she was just hired. You can also imagine being a single mom of 5 kids and working at a LTC during the height of the COVID pandemic was/is still very stressful. Her position was only guaranteed part time hours at the LTC but her pay cheques were reflective of full time hours. Having only 3 weeks employment before closing, I could only use her part time income to qualify. Mandi’s realtor pressured her into going firm on her purchase 3 days before her finance condition date and without my knowledge. Mandi and I scrambled for a solution and unfortunately she had to be placed in a private mortgage at 9% interest only rate co brokered through a colleague of mine with an MIC.

One week before she moved in her eldest daughter broke her ankle, and one week after moving in her oven door fell off and the oven stopped working. I was recently made aware of some personal struggles her family is now facing. Mandi’s 9 year old daughter Ary was suffering from chronic ear infections and meds weren’t working. She was constantly getting headaches, became clumsy and dizzy and having nose bleeds. Her breath began to smell horrible. She was referred by an ENT to McMaster Children’s Hospital for a CT scan on her brain. 2 Tumours were found. She started on Oral chemo as a precaution. Mandi’s daughter Ary is in surgery as I write this, they will be taking some bone from her skull and replacing it with bone from her hip. They will be removing her ear as the tumour has caused too much damage to her ear drum and Ary will need ear reconstructive surgery and may or may not get her hearing back. She is unsure if both tumours will be removed today or just one, however they will biopsy them to find out what they are dealing with. Worst case scenario would be squamous cell carcinoma which we are praying is not the case.

Mandi has taken leave from work to care and be with her daughter. She is currently on EI, CCB and Trillium benefits for income along with some child support from her ex. Her LTC employer is guaranteeing her position whenever she chooses to come back. Mandi’s 9% interest mortgage is coming up for renewal in April and my hopes of being able to transfer her to a better rate/lender in April are dwindling as I was planning on using her income from the LTC and school bus as she would have more history to work with, so with her daughter ill and Mandi not working I felt compelled to try and help this family. If Mandi and her family are chosen the money would help pay her mortgage and allow Mandi to be able to care for her daughter longer.

Photo and Videos of Mandi Draper & Family receiving cheque from Chantal Driscoll

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PROUD TO SUPPORT Christine Buemann RECIPIENT 1ST QUARTER 2025

By Brokers Who Care • March 10, 2025

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Christine Buemann our Recipient of the 1ST Quarter 2025 vote. Thank you Sabeena Bubber for bringing this Cause to our attention. Christine Buemann has been a dedicated supporter of the mortgage industry and a well-respected figure among brokers across Canada. She has given so much to our community—now, it’s time for us to give back. In December 2022, Christine was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer that had already spread beyond her breast. She fought with everything she had, enduring surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation—all while navigating a painful marital breakup and caring for her two young sons. By March 2024, she celebrated being cancer-free. But just months later, in December, she was rushed to the hospital, where a CT scan revealed a 2 cm tumour in her brain. Christine was airlifted for emergency brain surgery, and while the tumour was successfully removed, the pathology confirmed it was metastatic—her cancer had reached Stage 4. Now, Christine faces another grueling battle. She is awaiting brain radiation and undergoing treatments to stop further spread. Her body is still recovering from the trauma of surgery, and she is being forced into menopause to slow the cancer’s progression. On top of everything, Christine just sold her home before discovering the tumor. She must move by April 1st and find stable housing for her and her boys—all while continuing out-of-town treatments and continuing to work to support her family. We are calling on Brokers Who Care and anyone who can help. Christine has given so much to our industry; now, let’s rally behind her. Let’s ease her financial burden so she can focus on what matters most—healing and being there for her children. Your support can make a difference. Let’s show Christine that we care. Vote for Christine.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Nicole Mihm RECIPIENT 1ST QUARTER 2025

By Brokers Who Care • March 10, 2025

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Nicole Mihm our Recipient of the 1ST Quarter 2025 vote. Thank you Amber Mihm & Emily Miszk for bringing this Cause to our attention. At just 31 years old, Nicole has been diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, a devastating shock to our family. But one thing is certain—she won’t fight alone. Nicole faces significant challenges, including a rare condition that limits her chemotherapy options and a K-Ras genetic mutation that makes her cancer more aggressive. She has already undergone surgery to have a port placed in her chest, and while she remains strong and optimistic, the road ahead is uncertain. Through it all, Nicole’s spirit remains bubbly, hopeful, and full of life. She has a unique ability to make people feel seen and heard, befriending strangers in minutes while keeping lifelong friendships. She loves animals, gardening, and collecting Snoopy memorabilia—before cancer, you’d find her nurturing plants or playing with her nieces and nephews. However, the financial strain is immense. Nicole does not have employer-provided income benefits, leaving her with significant out-of-pocket medical expenses. This $10,000 donation would provide crucial relief, allowing her to focus on healing rather than financial stress. We don’t know what the future holds, but Nicole is worthy of every ounce of support. This incredible community has the power to make a real difference in her fight. Please vote for Nicole, giving her the gift of financial relief so she can focus on what matters most—fighting, healing, and staying as bright and positive as ever.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Crystal Richelle & Glen Gordon Spark RECIPIENT 4TH QUARTER 2024

By Brokers Who Care • December 11, 2024

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Crystal Richelle & Glen Gordon Spark , our Recipient of the 4th Quarter 2024 vote. Thank you Carmela Addante for bringing this Cause to our attention. Their Story: The Sparks family is enduring immense financial and emotional strain due to Glen’s ongoing health challenges, including a cancer diagnosis, treatments, and a recent spinal surgery to address a fracture. His recovery will require at least six weeks, during which family support is critical. Glen, despite his severe symptoms, continues to manage his self-employed business whenever possible, even from his hospital bed. However, his reduced capacity has significantly impacted the family's income. Crystal works at a local preschool but has had to take time off to care for Glen and manage his appointments, leaving her unable to fully meet the household’s financial needs. The family, including their three children, is working tirelessly to maintain stability—balancing school, work, and providing care. Unfortunately, they are now two mortgage payments behind, with overdue utility bills on payment plans, and their mortgage renewal is looming in February. Their situation worsened recently when their daughter was involved in a car accident, totaling the second family vehicle. Thankfully, everyone is unharmed, but the loss of the car adds to their challenges. The vehicle was essential for Glen’s medical appointments and the daughter’s job. Crystal is overwhelmed, trying to hold everything together under these crushing circumstances. This grant would provide vital relief, covering overdue expenses to secure their mortgage renewal, and help stabilize their finances during this difficult time. Supporting the Sparks family now will ensure they can focus on recovery and rebuilding without the constant weight of financial uncertainty. Thank you for considering this family in their time of need.