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Cochrane realtor reflecting entrepreneurial success back to the community

“I have a motto that’s basically giving back to the community gives me so much,” Leah said. “You just have to give back when you’re blessed.”
Debbie Leah Cochrane Realtor--2
Debbie Leah. Submitted Photo

COCHRANE— Living in Cochrane has inspired local realtor Debbie Leah for more than 20 years. 

As a realtor and philanthropist, Leah has been making a difference in the community through acts of kindness since she first moved to Cochrane in 1996.

“When I show homes, I don’t always map out where I’m going because I know everywhere in town,” Leah said with a laugh.

It has been incredible to witness the community grow since she first arrived, Leah said, adding she appreciates how the town has remained a great community to live in.

Working as one of the community's leading realtors keeps Leah busy and no day is the same. She described working in the real estate market as a job that “is full time, all the time.”

“The market that we are in is very fast-paced,” Leah said. “You could wake up and have a schedule laid out for yourself but then new houses come out on the market that your clients really want to see and then you’re rearranging your schedule— You have to respond very fast.”

In her spare moments, Leah makes helping and collaborating with non-profits in town a priority— Two of her most meaningful collaborations have been with the Cochrane Food Bank and Big Hill Haven.

“I just really love being able to give back to the community,” Leah said.

One of her long-standing commitments in the community has been to Big Hill Haven. Leah has sat on the board of the non-profit women’s shelter for three years. 

Her dedication to women’s charities dates back more than 10 years.

As a realtor, a portion of any commissions she earns goes toward The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. The Foundation then brings the money back to the community.

“Before we had Big Hill Haven, any of the money that was coming back into Cochrane was donated to FCSS and it was used for their Instrumental Funds Program,” Leah said. “At that point, they were able to use the funds to put women up in hotels, for first month's rent in a new apartment or cab rides into Calgary into a shelter.”

It has been exciting to see Big Hill Haven take root in the community.

“I just don’t think women and families should be stuck in an abusive relationship solely based on the fact there are no resources or have no financial support to get away from their situation,” Leah said. “There are real resources that are available."

The Food Bank sits especially close to her heart, she added, because many years ago her young family was experiencing a difficult time. A friend of Leah went to the Food Bank and got food for them.

“I was so shocked at the amount of food that my girlfriend showed up with at our door. It was just boxes, and boxes and boxes of food,” Leah said. “I was so touched with her giving heart. She went and did it because she knew we were struggling. It was moving.”

The Food Bank remains critically important and the lifeline her family received in their time of need will never be forgotten, Leah said.

As her career as a realtor has taken off, she has remained committed to helping the Food Bank to ensure others receive the same support in their time of need.

Leah has a utility trailer that she has used to collect food donations for in the past.  Unfortunately, during COVID-19 the food drives have changed to meet public health measures. Instead of having two big events each year, it has been broken into smaller drives in Cochrane communities, she said. The utility trailer is ready and waiting for food storage when it is once again possible.

COVID-19 has transformed the way she supports non-profits, Leah said, explaining she has embraced launching new and innovative initiates.

A recent endeavour has been Cochrane Connections which serves to showcase local businesses through Facebook.

Cochrane Connections launched in the summer of 2020 and Leah and her team will go out, interview business owners and showcase them on the Facebook page and in the community.

As part of the initiative business provided different items and information for move-in baskets that can be provided to new people in Cochrane as a welcome gift.

She hopes the welcome baskets will encourage newcomers to get out and explore the businesses Cochrane has to offer.

Leah added the businesses are excited to be highlighted in the community, especially during the economic hardship of COVID-19, and it is a thrill being able to play a role in showcasing them to the community.

“The page is growing a lot,” Leah said. “I think the time that we’re in right now is not the time to be stifling the business access to the public. They advertise freely on that page.”

It remains humbling to know she has the trust of the community, she said, and she welcomes those who reach out for help.

“I’m just so tickled pink people feel comfortable enough to reach out to me when they are needing help,” Leah said. “I help out when those requests show up and I’m really honoured that people feel as though they can reach out to me when they need the assistance.”

Leah takes pride in providing a helping hand to those who need it and hopes she will be able to continue creating a space for people to easily contact her.

“I have a motto that’s basically giving back to the community gives me so much,” Leah said. “You just have to give back when you’re blessed.”

 
 
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