The 17th Realtors Care Blanket Drive gets underway Nov. 28 across the Lower Mainland.
Since 1995, the annual drive – which also collects warm clothing – has benefited more than 165,000 people.
Through Dec. 5, citizens are encouraged to donate gently used blankets, sleeping bags, warm clothing and coats, as well as new socks and underwear, to real estate offices that are acting as collection depots.
Locally, one of the key benefactors of the drive is NightShift Street Ministries, an organization that has been working with poor and homeless people in Whalley since 2004.
NightShift offers outreach services and counselling, and manages clothing and blanket donations through Sisters Thrift Boutique.
NightShift founder and president MaryAnne Connor described the drive as “truly a blessing to our street family.”
“We have had years when the donations from this drive have stocked our shelves and bins until early spring. We now see it as an essential partner in helping our community and we sincerely appreciate every single donation,” Connor said in a statement.
The eight-day drive runs in communities from Whistler to Chilliwack and collects on average 4,300 bags of items for men, women and children. Donations stay within the communities in which they are donated.
In South Surrey/White Rock, donations points include Bay Realty (246-1959 152 St.), Hugh & McKinnon Realty (14007 North Bluff Rd.), HomeLife Benchmark (1-1920 152 St.), Royal LePage Northstar 118-15272 Croydon Dr. S.), RE/MAX Colonial Pacific Realty (15414 24 Ave.) and Sutton Group West Coast White Rock (15595 24 Ave.).
For a list of other participating sites, or to learn about other charitable recipients, visit www.blanketdrive.ca
