Local real estate agents are once again collecting blankets and warm clothing for the homeless.
The annual Realtors Care Blanket Drive takes place from Nov. 18 to 25, according to a press release from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver.
“What our Blanket Drive does is provide the first line of defense for our most vulnerable citizens living outside,” Louise Boutin, a Vancouver Realtor and volunteer, said in the release. “Many of our recipient charities distribute what we collect right on the streets and regularly see repeat clients coming back for a change of clothes or a sleeping bag to protect them from the rain, cold and concrete.”
Real estate agents plan to collect and deliver enough blankets and warm clothing to help 20,000 people, the release stated.
“What we’re looking for most is gently-used blankets, coats, gloves, hats, jeans, hoodies and new underwear and socks for both men and women; and whenever possible, smaller waist sizes,” Kellee Romaine a Chilliwack drive volunteer, said in the release.
There will be donation bags at more than 100 real estate locations in all - four of those locations are in Burnaby: Coldwell Banker-Love Realty at 5489 Kingsway, RE/MAX Central at 3906 Hastings St., RE/MAX Central at 1-5050 Kingsway and Sutton Centre Realty at 105-3790 Canada Way.
Last year, the blanket drive collected enough donations to help more than 19,000 people in the Lower Mainland.
City salon collecting food for Sally Ann
While most people’s minds haven’t turned to Christmas yet, the Salvation Army is already preparing to help people through the holidays - and a Burnaby business is helping out, too.
From Nov. 22 to Dec. 20, Salon M2 in Parkcrest Plaza is collecting cans of food for the Salvation Army, according to a press release from the business.
Customers can earn a salon dollar, up to $10, for each can they bring in. These can be used on any of the salon services, according to the release.
A report released last year about the Salvation Army’s food services program stated more people are turning to the programs for assistance.
However, nearly a third of Salvation Army food programs have seen a decrease in donations in the last 12 months, according to the release.
“With donations down and client demand up, we hope that the people of Burnaby will respond with the generosity and empathy we have come to rely on by volunteering with or donating to the Salvation Army” said Captain Glynden Cross, the supervisor for the Metrotown unit.
Food hampers are available to low-income families with children under 19, living in Vancouver and Burnaby. Eligible families are able to receive this service during an emergency or once every 90 days up to three times per year. Hampers usually include: soup, beans, peanut butter, tuna, vegetables, fruit, macaroni, rice, instant noodles, bread, cheese and margarine (quantities depend on family size).
Parkcrest Plaza is located at 5901 East Broadway, Burnaby.
Mitsubishi hosts Variety fundraiser
Susan Oliver, a Burnaby resident, wants to give back to the organization that helped her after an ATV accident two years ago.
To that end, Oliver recently organized a fundraiser for Variety - the Children’s Charity with the help of Metrotown Mitsubishi’s general manager Ricardo Rojas.
The pair raised $151 for the 2013 Kids Coin Drive for Variety with a barbecue at the dealership, according to an email from the charity.
Rojas provided the food and drink for the fundraiser.
“Susan and our other coin kid champions around B.C. are inspiring a spirit of support and philanthropy,” Bernice Scholten, Variety’s executive director, said in a press release. “The coin drive campaign is an example of the power of families helping families.”
