The 15th annual REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive is proof that wonderful things happen when everyone pitches in. The Drive, which officially took place from November 30 to December 7 and unofficially kept going until December 14 because donations snowballed, collected over 4,350 bags of clothing, coats and blankets for dozens of charities across Vancouver’s Lower Mainland.
“When you get to this level of literally thousands of people donating, it’s no longer one industry or group making a difference, it’s the entire community recognizing a need and pulling together as one,” said Scott Russell, President of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver.
The Drive, which began in 1994 with a handful of Vancouver REALTORS® collecting a few hundred bags, now includes participating real estate offices from Whistler to Hope, plus extensive public and corporate support.
In Maple Ridge, West Coast Auto Group challenged their staff and clients to fill the back of a super-cab truck. In Surrey, Terasen Gas employees held their own mini-campaign, plus the company issued a cheque to one of the Drive’s recipient charities as part of their Give Where You Live program; and, for the second year in a row, one of Vancouver’s largest clothing wholesalers, FX Fashion Exchange, donated multiple van loads of still-in-the-box clothing and coats.
“Because of the downturn in the economy, we were worried initially that we wouldn’t be able to fulfill our goals for the charities,” said Paul Penner, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board.
“Our member volunteers worked extra hard this year, not just in putting together donations but also in getting the word out and it paid off. We had to extend the Drive an additional week just to get everything delivered.”
After 15 years, the REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive has evolved into much more than an annual collection of blankets to help the homeless. Jim Adam, President of the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board explains, “The original goal is still there. Many of the blankets, sleeping bags and coats we collect go to shelters and ministries who distribute them directly to people living on the streets.
“However, given the scope of the Drive now, we’re thrilled to also support food banks and community service organizations that assist anyone who needs the help.”
The previous best year for the Drive was in 2007 when REALTORS® collected 4,215 bags of donations. Over 45 local charities across the Lower Mainland benefit from the REALTORS CareBlanket Drive. Donations are distributed for free and stay within the communities in which they are donated, or if the volumes are too large, are shared with the nearest community in greatest need. For more information, go to www.blanketdrive.ca.
Photo: Scott Russell, President of The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver and Constable Jodyne Keller of the Vancouver Police Department. Cst. Keller is part of the VPD’s Homeless Outreach Program – with whom The Blanket Drive has formed a partnership. Vancouver Police will carry donated blankets in their patrol cars and offer them up to any homeless they may encounter during their patrols.
