Local realtors are asking for warm hearts – and warm clothing – for the 21st-annual Realtors Care Blanket Drive, which kicks off this week.
The blanket drive, which runs from Nov. 16-23, annually assists more than 19,000 people in need – they collected 672 bags of warm winter clothing and blankets just in Surrey last year.
“Every community in the Lower Mainland relies on donations from the program and we need the public’s support once again to ensure we can meet this year’s need,” said Darcy McLeod, president of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV).
The event is a combined effort by the REBGV, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB and the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board.
This year, the drive in Surrey will support five local organizations, which have specific needs:
• Surrey Memorial Hospital: Men’s and women’s coats;
• The Great Helping Hand Society: Warm clothing and blankets;
• Hyland House: Coats, blankets, and new socks and underwear;
• NightShift Street Ministries: Blankets, towels, winter coats and gloves;
• Surrey Urban Mission: Blankets and clothing, especially warm jackets.
“Being such a large region, Surrey has one of the highest levels of in-need individuals in the Fraser Valley,” said Jorda Maisey, president of the FVREB. “The impact our donations have is incredible, and contributes to making the lives of our neighbours better during hard times.”
Blankets and clothing can be dropped off at several locations:
North Delta
• Gold Room Jewellers, 12014 72 Ave. (604-590-5199)
• RE/MAX Performance Realty, 11925 80 Ave. (604-590-4888)
Surrey
• Century 21 Coastal Realty, #105, 7928 128 St. (604-599-4888)
• Royal LePage-Global Force Realty, #201, 13049 76 Ave. (604-596-1800)
• Royal Group-Tapestry Realty, #104, 13049 76 Ave. (604-590-6111)
• SRS Panorama Realty (#103, 12030 80 Ave. (604-572-3088)
• Sutton Group-West Coast Realty, #106, 7565 132 St. (604-572-3005)
• RE/MAX 2000 Realty, #103 15127 100 Ave. (604-583-2000)
• Royal LePage West Real Estate Services, #6, 9965 152 St. (604-581-3838)
• Sutton-Premier Realty, 15483 104 Ave. (604-581-8400)
South Surrey
• HomeLife Benchmark, #1, 1920 152 St. (604-531-1111)
• Royal LePage Northstar, #118, 15272 Croydon Drive S (604-538-2125)
• RE/MAX Colonial Pacific Realty, 15414 24 Ave. (604-541-4888)
• Sutton Group-West Coast, 15595 24 Ave. (604-538-8888).
For more information, visit www.blanketdrive.ca