Each winter, about 20,000 people experiencing homelessness in the Lower Mainland, British Columbia, rely on donations of blankets, sleeping bags, coats, toques, gloves and other clothing to stay warm.
The REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive is beginning its 21st year of making a difference. Since 1995, this initiative has assisted more than 300,000 people. Donations can be made at most real estate offices across the Lower Mainland from November 14 to 21.
Shirley Whitters is one of many volunteers who help to make the event possible. This REALTOR® with Sutton – Premier Realty has been involved with the blanket drive from the start. She is already hard at work.
The REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive starts Monday! Please donate any warm blankets & clothing you can spare. https://t.co/wjLZaGUrgp #RCBD2016 pic.twitter.com/wIP4Y2SoKC
— FVREB (@FVREB) November 10, 2016
Shirley and her daughter Dani, who is also a REALTOR®, have been putting up posters at various organizations to advertise. Once the blanket drive is underway, they will pick up bags of donations from their office and the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board office, then sort and deliver to charities.
“It saddens me to know that so many less fortunate people can’t afford a home and are forced to live on the streets. I think a great number of people are one or two pay cheques away from being on the street. It’s frightening. It’s not just people who are on drugs—that’s just the stereotype. Sometimes people get ill, lose their jobs and can’t pay their rent. They have fallen on hard times, which could happen to anybody. It makes me feel good that we are able to help in some small way by keeping them warm during the cold weather ahead.”
— REALTOR® Shirley Whitters
Cash donations are accepted and are typically used to purchase new socks and underwear.
“October saw a record 28 days of rain. It’s heartbreaking to know some residents have nowhere warm and dry to live,” said Dan Morrison, President of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. “Starting Monday, you can help those in need by donating blankets and clothing through our annual blanket drive.”
“This is the largest and longest-running blanket drive program in the Lower Mainland,” said Charles Wiebe, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “Each year, the REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive provides warm clothing and blankets to thousands of Lower Mainland residents, but we can’t do this without your help.”
For a complete list of drop-off locations throughout the Lower Mainland, visit www.rebgv.org/blanket-drive-drop-locations-0 or www.blanketdrive.ca.
This story was adapted – with permission – from one originally featured on the Sutton Spirit website. The Sutton Spirit program recognizes Sutton associates across Canada that improve and enhance the lives of the people around them.
