Posted by: Karim Ali
Coffee with Karim
From Pies to Pierogies: How We Celebrate You Year-Round
Being a realtor isn’t just about buying and selling houses. It’s about people, relationships, and the communities we build together. For me, some of the most rewarding moments of this job come outside of contracts and closings – when we reconnect with clients at our annual events.
These aren’t just thank-yous. They’re opportunities to catch up with families, hear about milestones, and share experiences that bring us all closer. Over the years, our team has created a rhythm of traditions that have become a highlight not only for our clients, but for us too. Here’s a look at what we do throughout the year.
Spring: Free Tire Change Day
Every spring and fall, we host Free Tire Change Days for our beloved clients. If you’ve ever scrambled to get your seasonal tires switched, you know how stressful and time-consuming it can be. That’s why we take care of it. Clients with tires on rims can come by, hang out for a bit, and leave knowing the job is done well.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s practical, and people love it! It’s one less hassle off their list, and for us, it’s a simple way of showing that we’re here to help even after the sale.
We normally sit-in the garage wait room and get to spend a little bit of time with the people we cherish over coffee and timbits. It’s always a fun time!
Summer: Ice Cream Day at La Vérendrye Park
When the Ottawa heat kicks in, nothing beats a cold treat. Each year, we bring an ice cream truck to La Vérendrye Park in Beacon Hill North and invite our clients to join us. Families come with their kids, neighbours drop by, and it often turns into a small community gathering.
This event is always a nice way to wrap up the summer. We often haven’t seen or chatted with our people for a few months because everyone is in and out of vacation. It’s also perfectly timed – just after the first weeks of school (it was September 13th this year) – so it’s meant as a little break or reward for families after all the effort that goes into back-to-school. It’s simple, fun, and always one of the highlights of the year.
Fall: Thanksgiving Pie Giveaway
Thanksgiving is one of my favourite times of the year because it’s all about gratitude. Each October, we team up with Life of Pie in Old Ottawa South to give away free pies. Clients choose from pumpkin, apple, triple berry crisp, or pecan, and in 2025, pickups will be on October 9, 10, and 11. On Saturday the 11th, we’ll be at the bakery from 12–4pm to hand out pies in person.
This event is always special because it’s an easy and low-pressure way to catch up. Life gets busy, and sometimes we don’t see clients for several months. Then they show up with exciting updates: a baby born, a parent now cancer-free, or a home project they’ve poured their heart into. Hearing how people are enjoying their homes and new neighbourhoods is one of the most rewarding parts of this job!
And likewise, sending them off with a pie right before Thanksgiving is one less stress for our clients – they don’t have to worry about securing a pie for their family gathering. A triple win!
Winter: Pierogy Party
We close the year with a Ukrainian-themed holiday party at Nick’s house. This is the event where we really get to know our clients better. We seldom talk real estate here – instead, people spend time with us around the house, sharing plans for the holidays, and reflecting on the year gone by.
It’s a chance to reminisce about the successes and other community events we hosted throughout the year. Unlike the free pie or tire change, which are about removing stress from clients’ lives, the pierogy party is entirely about spending more time together and building our community. It’s one of my favourite ways we wrap up the year.
Giving Back Together
Alongside these traditions, we also make it a priority to give back. This year, we hosted a Name That Tune fundraiser in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, which helps women and children escape domestic violence. Our team lead, Nick Fundytus, is trekking through Cambodia to raise awareness and additional funds for this cause. Please donate generously!
For us, it’s important that our events not only celebrate our clients but also contribute to making Ottawa-and beyond-a stronger, safer place.
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