For more than six years, a group of volunteers on the Semiahmoo Peninsula has been quietly helping struggling families in the Lower Mainland get a leg up.
When the need arises – for example, after a fire has left a family homeless, or if new immigrants are trying to start a life with next to nothing – the effort to meet it is swift.
"When we have a family in need, we put the 'ask' out for furniture, etc. and usually within a day, we have everything we need for the family," said Lori Ishikawa, a White Rock resident and co-founder, with Tammy Ritchie, of the aptly named Friends of the Families.
The non-profit group grew from a chat that Ishikawa had with a man who came to White Rock City Hall – where she works in the bylaws and licensing department – to pay a ticket.
The man, a principal at one of Surrey's inner-city elementary schools, shared some of the challenges faced by the many immigrant families involved in the school. Ishikawa in turn, shared the situation with a group of her longtime friends – they call themselves the Gourmet Girls – as they had been wanting to adopt some families at Christmas.
It grew into something bigger after the women, on delivery day, had an opportunity for an inside peek at what some of the recipient families were dealing with on a daily basis – including empty fridges, no beds to sleep on and no toys for their young children.
An email campaign appealing for goods and furniture for the families resulted in an abundance of donations – and the beginning of what Ishikawa said continues to be a both emotional and rewarding endeavour.
"We've helped over 600 families," she said Monday, noting the list includes "a ton" of people in South Surrey and White Rock.
"There's been a lot of people that need help out there."
Ishikawa said recipients have included new immigrants from such countries as Ethiopia and Syria, as well as single moms and others who rely on Sources' White Rock South Surrey Food Bank.
Recent deliveries have benefited a White Rock man who was living in a shelter and a family in Burnaby.
Volunteers also come from varied backgrounds.
White Rock resident Kees Koster said he can relate to the challenges of having to start fresh in a new country, with little to no connections.
"I landed on these shores about 61 years ago with $30 in my pocket and a suitcase full of clothes, and not being able to speak the English language," the Holland native said.
He remembers learning English through working and living with a Mennonite family. It was an experience he never forgot.
When he learned three years ago about Friends' efforts, Koster didn't hesitate to offer assistance.
"I said to (Ishikawa), 'if you ever need any help…,' and it just kind of went from there," he said.
Other regulars in the effort include David Chesney (a White Rock city councillor), Joe Sweeney (Ritchie's husband) and Fraser Crinklaw (who was pointed to Friends while donating furniture to the food bank).
As well, Hallmark Carpets provides the truck used to pick up and deliver the goods.
Without that truck, "we could not help those people," Ishikawa said.
Support from the community at large has also been tremendous. After appearing on television news more than a year ago helping families left homeless by a fire in New Westminster, Friends was inundated with donation offers.
Noting the group cannot store donations – other than gift cards, which are always appreciated and help recipient families with grocery and other costs – Ishikawa said anyone wanting to be added to a list of potential donors who are contacted when the need arises, may email friendsofthefamilies@shaw.ca
For Koster, the idea of pitching in simply makes sense.
"I think it really should be one's responsibility to help their fellow neighbour who wants to make a start. God knows, if I hadn't had any help along the way, then I wouldn't be where I am today.
"Nobody can do it on their own."