For decades, David McKinley, a REALTOR® and salesperson with Royal LePage Expert, Real Estate Agency Ltd., has led efforts to support neighbours and community organizations across Montreal. Known for his fundraising, community engagement, and public service, he believes bringing people together is the key to tackling society’s most critical issues.
<iframe width="100%" height="385" src=" https://www.youtube.com/embed/bogFiUBElUo?si=zNJfesV6Zt3gkE65 " title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>“For me, community means a group of people working together for a particular cause,” shared David. “It’s about working together as a group and putting forward ideas to improve situations.”
Every second Tuesday of the month, David personally recruits and manages a team of volunteers in the bustling kitchen and dining spaces of Maison du Père’s downtown men’s shelter where they prepare and serve coffee, snacks and a healthy meal. Since starting to volunteer, he has become one of the cornerstones of the lunch program and has introduced many of his REALTOR® colleagues to the work. Beyond nourishment, the interaction and engagement with volunteers also offers a rare moment of comfort and connection for the long-term residents and walk-ins.
“It’s the heart of our programs,” said Lizette Flores, Executive Director of the Maison du Père Foundation. “With 700 to 800 meals a day, it’s essential to be able to count on these volunteers. Dave got involved, and then he got his friends involved, his network… and it creates a ripple effect where people want to participate and then want to talk about Maison du Père.”
As one of Montreal’s most forward-thinking shelter and reintegration centres for men, Maison du Père works to interrupt the cycle of homelessness through prevention services, emergency beds, service connections, seniors’ residences and long-term stabilization and employment programs.
“Once you lose your residential identity, there are a whole range of services that you can no longer count on as a citizen,” shared Lizette. “It affects physical health, mental health, and the longer you’re in that situation, the more time and effort it takes to get out of it.”
As winter arrives and temperatures drop, David’s most soulful role begins—as Santa Claus. For 14 years, he has donned the red hat and coat at schools, community events and shelters, bringing laughter and warmth to children, families and residents across the city. Some private gatherings have also booked him by donating to the charities he champions. At Maison du Père, his Santa visit brings levity and a moment of joy to men who might otherwise spend the holidays alone. Supported by Santa McKinley, with helper elves in his wake, the organization has turned Christmas Eve into an evening that residents and staff alike look forward to.
“The most difficult time for people living on the streets, people who come to la Maison du Père, is the holiday season,” shared André Leroux, Coordinator of the Reintegration and In-home Assistance Program at Maison du Père. “Dave brings his Santa Claus costume…we have students from fifteen high schools who make Christmas cards. And Dave goes on his Christmas tour.”
When David hangs up his apron or stores away his Santa suit for the season, he doesn’t step away from Maison du Père’s mission. He continues as an ambassador, sharing their work with the broader business community. His leadership has strengthened the organization’s fundraising efforts by connecting it with new supporters, community partners and REALTOR® colleagues. In the fall of 2025 alone, he picked up an oar and rallied a team of rowers to help Maison du Père raise $141,000 at the Dragon Boat Challenge—funds that directly support their housing stabilization and daily meal programs.
Maison du Père isn’t the only charity that’s benefited from David’s community driven efforts. His long-standing commitment to supporting at-risk youth has fueled everything from major fundraising efforts to expanding crisis support services across Quebec with Tel-jeunes and helping to provide safe spaces and after-school programming just north of Montreal with Maison des jeunes Sodarrid de Boisbriand. These programs give young people more stability as they grow, helping build stronger foundations that make life’s challenges easier to navigate.
Whether strengthening community partnerships, rallying REALTORS® to volunteer, or supporting the next generation, Dave McKinley’s impact is felt all across the region. By bringing people together, this Canadian REALTORS Care® Award nominee continues to help build a more caring and connected community.
“The cause of homelessness and the cause of social reintegration cannot be done alone,” shared David. “Community organizations cannot operate without volunteers. We have to do something. We have to get involved.”
REALTORS Care® Spotlight shares stories of how featured nominees of the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award are working to make their communities a better place for all.
