There are two initiatives being undertaken by local business organizations to help those in need in this community starting next week.
The first is the, running from Nov. 14 to 21. The second is a Coats for Kids campaign being run by local builders and developers.
Realtors collecting
The first is the 23rd annual realtors effort, which kicks off next Thursday.
This is the largest and longest running blanket drive in the Lower Mainland, explained Gopal Sahota, president of the .
鈥淪o many people in need, from Whistler to Hope, have received a blanket or warm clothing over the years through the Blanket Drive,鈥� he said.
鈥淥ur donations are distributed directly to those who need it so please give what you can this year.鈥�
In 91原创 specifically, this year鈥檚 blanket drive will directly benefit the Salvation Army鈥檚 , , and .
Last year alone, the 91原创 realtors collected approximately 250 bags of warm winter clothing and blankets, said Michael Gleboff.
That, he said, was one of the best year鈥檚 ever.
This year, they鈥檙e hoping to collect even more, noting that jackets, blankets, socks, clothing and shoes will be shared with Wagner Hills, while women鈥檚 and children鈥檚 clothing, as well as blankets will go to Ishtar, and blankets and warm clothing and coats will be shared with Gateway.
鈥淭hey continue to do incredible work, and we鈥檙e really hoping to get them the resources they need,鈥� he said of the three recipient organizations.
Since the Realtors Care initiative began in 1995, the program has helped provide warmth to more than 300,000 people. The drive involves realtors from throughout the Fraser Valley and area.
鈥淭he cold weather season is here earlier than normal, which only increases the need for donations,鈥� interjected Jill Oudil, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver president.
鈥淲e need the public鈥檚 support to help us meet this need again this year. The blanket drive is a local campaign that helps people in communities across the Lower Mainland.鈥�
鈥淭he Blanket Drive gives us a chance to make a real impact on our communities,鈥� added Sahota. 鈥淒onations stay in the area they鈥檙e collected 鈥� they go directly to our neighbours.鈥�
The public can drop donations off at one of the more than 100 participating real estate offices across the Lower Mainland. Click here for a list of drop-off locations.
Items needed:
鈥� Blankets or sleeping bags, gently used or new
鈥� Warm clothing, coats
鈥� Hats, gloves, scarves
鈥� New socks and underwear
.
Builders help children
In a similar effort to the realtors, members of the Greater Vancouver Homebuilders鈥� Association have set up drop-off locations around 91原创 to collect lightly used and new coats for those in need 鈥� especially for kids.
For the 22nd year running, members of this organization 鈥� including several in 91原创 鈥� are rallying friends, family, customers, and employees to donate to the cause 鈥� .
More than just keeping a child warm, every coat donated warms the hearts of many people along the way, said Larry Clay, a residential 91原创鈥檚 builder and president of the builders association.
鈥淭he simple act of donating a coat to keep a child warm connects people contributing to a good cause. You can see the warmth and kindness shared between people as the coats are dropped-off and collected, and I think this is a reaction worth spreading,鈥� Clay said.
Last year the response to Coats for Kids was 鈥渉eartwarming鈥� as Lower Mainland residents donated more than 3,600 gently used and new coats, scarves, gloves, blankets, and new toys for distribution to children of all ages.
This year鈥檚 campaign, which runs Nov. 14 to Dec. 1, will see 57 GVHBA member companies serving as drop-off locations in 13 municipalities 鈥� 91原创 among them.
In 91原创, kids coats are being collected at:
鈥� . 鈥� #304 鈥� 6360 202nd St.
鈥� 鈥� 20216 98th Ave.
鈥� . 鈥� 22538 Fraser Hwy.
鈥� 鈥� #200 鈥� 19888 91原创 Bypass
Coats for teens are always in high demand, Clay said.
Even though some teens fit adult sizing, he noted the coats need to appeal to their age group. He added that hoodies are always a popular choice.
Buying new items for donations is also an option, along with donating scarves, hats, gloves, and new unwrapped toys (hockey sticks, soccer and basketballs, and art supplies are always a hit).
The clothing items will subsequently be distributed through the Lower Mainland and Surrey Christmas Bureaus.
鈥淭he needs are real, and clothing is often overlooked,鈥� said Vancouver Christmas Bureau executive director Chris Bayliss.
鈥淧eople think of toys and food around this time of year, but keeping kids warm is an essential need for every parent too; especially during the colder winter months,鈥� he added, 鈥渨atching the relief on a parent鈥檚 face who finds a size-appropriate coat for their child is a good feeling.鈥�
The GVHBA members will come together to present all the donation collected this year during a special event at Santa鈥檚 workshop (a.k.a. Caesarstone Canada in Burnaby) on Friday, Dec. 1, from 9 to 11 a.m.
Those festivities include Santa arriving in his 鈥渆xcavating鈥� sleigh, pulled by Bob Cats, the Southpointe Academy children鈥檚 choir, cookie decorating, and a hot chocolate bar.
For more information, visit their .
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