CALGARY, Dec. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust ("BEI.UN" - TSX)

Boardwalk Rental Communities ("Boardwalk") gave two families a Holiday to remember, by providing each with free rent for one year.  Boardwalk recently teamed up with Kool 101.5 FM in Calgary to host 'Home for the Holidays' and Virgin Radio 104.9 FM in Edmonton to present 'Break and Enter Xmas', offering free rent for a year in a Boardwalk community. Boardwalk and each radio station asked listeners to nominate a person or family they knew who deserved a hand up this holiday season.  After receiving hundreds of nominations, Boardwalk is pleased to announce the following winners:

The winner in Calgary, Melissa, is a single mother who works 7 days a week to support her two young children and her mother. She is also going to school to become a nurse with the goal of better supporting her family. Despite this, Melissa also volunteers tirelessly to raise money for cystic fibrosis research, a cause that affects her own family.  Earlier this week, Melissa was told she had won free rent for a year, and Boardwalk was donating $2,500 towards her getting her degree. Melissa said "Thank you for giving me free rent for a year and the opportunity to continue with my schooling.  Because of you, I can now watch my family grow."

Edmonton, AB, winner Younes, is a single dad of four children, two of which have special needs. He has struggled to support his family over the last three years, often going hungry so his children can eat. He also recently had to sell his furniture including the beds for his children. When Younes was contacted that he won free rent for a year he said "I want to thank everyone today that my prayers have been answered. This is something my kids will never forget."

This is the fifth year Boardwalk has held this contest in Calgary and the fourth year in Edmonton.  Sam Kolias; Chairman and CEO, said, "The Holidays are about giving back. We are happy to be able to give a hand up to two families in need in our communities by providing them a place to call home, rent free, for one year. The stories and nominations we receive each year are truly touching, and selecting just one winner from each city is difficult. This year's recipients are amazing and inspirational people, and we are honored to welcome them home."

About Boardwalk REIT

Boardwalk REIT is Canada's friendliest landlord and currently owns and operates more than 225 properties with 35,277 residential units (as at Sept 30, 2013) totaling approximately 30 million net rentable square feet. Boardwalk's principal objectives are to provide its Residents with the best quality communities and superior Customer Service, while providing Unitholders with sustainable monthly cash distributions, and increase the value of its Trust Units through selective acquisitions, dispositions, and effective management of its residential multi-family communities. Boardwalk REIT is vertically integrated and is Canada's leading owner/operator of Multi-Family Communities with over 1,500 Associates bringing Customers home to communities located in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.

Additional information about Boardwalk REIT can be found on the Trust's website at www.BoardwalkREIT.com.

SOURCE Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust