Ajax, ON - On September 26, Cristian Vergara, a salesperson with Sutton Group - Heritage Realty Inc.*, was awarded the 2006 Diversity Community Award from the Town of Ajax for his outstanding dedication in promoting and encouraging diversity in Ajax. Award recipients, friends and family and the city council gathered for the award ceremony which was held at the J. Clarke Richardson/Notre Dame Community Theatre.

Cristian has been a loyal and active member of the Hispanic Alliance of Ontario (formerly the Hispanic Alliance of Durham) for the last decade. "Promoting diversity is always essential but gaining visibility within the community and enhancing social development is also crucial", shares Cristian. An avid supporter and sponsor of multicultural events and festivals, Cristian has also sat on the city planning committee, the recreational committee and has helped many newcomers to Canada feel at home.

"There is so much more we can do in our community than just live there. I try to encourage all my clients to take up volunteer position within the community", Cristian says. He works with many new immigrants and realizes that volunteering can "change their lives, help them meet new friends and get a feel for their new home".

A father of three girls and a baby boy, Cristian finds juggling his family, his real estate career and volunteering "tough but fulfilling". He adds, "There are always time-issues but getting involved means we get to experience the cozy, close-knit feeling that strengthens our community".

Sutton is a 100% Canadian-owned and operated company with more than 8,500 salespeople in 196 offices nationwide. To find out more about Sutton, visit www.sutton.com . To learn more about Sutton Spirit, visit www.suttonspirit.com .

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*Independently owned and operated brokerage