During the winter thaw, indoor upkeep is as important as prepping your garden for spring. Freshen rooms, remove allergens, and brighten the look of these five areas:

Protect. Important papers and belongings with sentimental value should be collected and set aside. Paint and chemicals can be hazardous to box and put on a moving truck. Designate a special area to store these items as it is best to transport them yourself, if possible.

Prioritize. Don't make the mistake of letting everything get loaded on the truck in a random order. Even if you label

the boxes, there's no guarantee the items you need first will be accessible once your movers are done. Mark them as "last on/first off." These would include bed linens and pillows, kitchen supplies, dishes, cups and cutlery, and bathroom necessities.

Label. Take the extra step of using coloured labels or stickers to mark which ones are priority for unpacking. This will help you get started after you're in your new place. Also, when wrapping delicates, put a piece of coloured tissue paper around smaller items. This will prevent you from accidentally tossing something tiny when you're unwrapping bigger breakables.

Secure. Even if you're moving liquids yourself, create an extra barrier by sealing them with plastic wrap, then securing lids and caps tightly on top. This tip can prevent spillage onto more expensive items.

Enjoy your new home by making unpacking as stress-free as possible!

Now's the time to prevent costly repairs and energy leaks. Take time to examine your home's exterior and you'll save this summer, once the heat hits.

Roof and gutters. Clean drains, gutters, and downspouts to keep those April showers from pooling near your foundation. Replace missing or loose shingles and check for any damage that may spread or cause weakness.

Windows and doors. Check that seals are tight and there are no cracks, tears, or gaps in caulking or weather-stripping that allow your refrigerated air to escape.

Dryer vent. Keep the airway clear by temporarily removing the vent cover located outside the house, vacuum all debris.

AC unit. Turn off the power to the outside unit, then get it ready to handle the summer workload. Clear away any plant or weed growth. Hose off or vacuum the condenser's sides. If you haven't had an inspection for a season or two, call your local HVAC professional to check parts and connections.

A few tiny efforts can make a world of difference for your energy bill and maximize efficiency.

One hundred and twenty Royal LePage professionals recently journeyed to Morocco from communities across Canada to participate in the Sahara Desert Challenge for Shelter. Over five days, they hiked more than 100 kilometres across hard and rocky terrain, supporting each other along the way. They climbed sand dunes hundreds of metres high and withstood hours of walking in blistering heat. At night, the temperatures dipped to near freezing

while they slept restlessly in their tents, their bodies aching from the effort. The physical and emotional strain put on the trekkers was immense, but it couldn't compare to what women and children escaping domestic violence experience – the very women and children who were the driving force behind this adventure.

To participate in the Sahara Desert Challenge for Shelter, each trekker committed to raise at least $5,000 for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation and cover their own travel and trekking expenses. To the amazement of Foundation staff, this outstanding group of fundraisers blew past their fundraising goal, ultimately raising $1,136,000! Eighty percent of the funds raised were directed to emergency women's shelters and transition houses across Canada. The remaining twenty percent will fund prevention and education programs aimed at breaking the cycle of family violence.

"The Sahara Desert Challenge for Shelter is an outstanding example of how Royal LePage professionals come together to support their local communities,"says Shanan Spencer-Brown, Executive Director, Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. "The trekkers put in considerable time and effort to fundraise, prepare by hiking long distances at home, and then travel across the world to take part in the Challenge. Across Canada, many other Royal LePagers made donations to support the cause. It was truly a team effort."

The three Challenge for Shelter treks in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation (Machu Picchu, Iceland and Sahara Desert) have now raised $2.3 million. To view a collection of photos from the most recent adventure, please visit rlp.ca/saharaforshelter.

12^th Annual National Garage Sale for Shelter
Saturday, May 9, 2020

Mark your calendars!
Held at Royal LePage offices and on front yards and driveways across Canada, the National Garage Sale for Shelter raises critical funds for local women's shelters that offer safety and support to thousands of women and children fleeing domestic violence each year.

Since 2009, the National Garage Sale for Shelter has raised over $3 million for women's shelters across the country. Because Royal LePage Canada covers the foundation's administrative costs and sponsors underwrite event expenses, 100% of all funds raised go directly to this important cause.

How can you help?
Please donate gently used items to a participating Royal LePage office and visit the National Garage Sale for Shelter in your community to shop for great deals and unique treasures. You'll be helping women and children escape abuse and create a future that is safe and full of hope.

For more information, please contact the Royal LePage office in your community or email shelterfoundation@royallepage.ca.