CLOVERDALE — Tuesday, Dec. 1 is a global day of giving. Called Giving Tuesday, it's a day encouraging people to donate after Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Lori Dennis says like shopping, giving should be done close to home.
Dennis works for Options Community Services Society and the organization is kicking off a campaign to raise funds for a new Cloverdale shelter in the works.
"I think it's important to give locally," Dennis told the Now. "We're in the early stages but we see an opportunity with this social media campaign in looking for the local citizens of Surrey in particular to give to this project."
Options currently runs a 10-bed shelter in an old farmhouse in Cloverdale. It is working with BC Housing and other community agencies to replace the old building.
The new project, which will be adjacent to the existing shelter, will include 16 shelter beds, 12 units of transitional housing and will be pet-friendly. It will also have a therapeutic farm aimed at providing benefits for those dealing with trauma, mental health and physical barriers.
"The past couple months the excavation process was started for the development," said Dennis. "But we're still in the early days."
Options looks to raise $300,000.
"For people looking to get involved in helping end homelessness, this is a perfect way to do it," Dennis stressed.
The new Bill Reid Memorial Shelter takes it's name from the late "Mr. Cloverdale" aka "Mr. Surrey" as Reid was widely known.
Reid passed away in May, 2013 after a battle with cancer. He was a former MLA, tourism minister, executive director of the Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce and vice president of the Cloverdale BIA.
Reid was passionate about the problem of homelessness and brought the community together a decade ago to work on a solution, ultimately inviting Options to open the present 10-bed shelter.
Ground was broken on the new project in September, and it's hoped construction will begin next spring or summer.
To donate, visit Surreyhomeless.ca/bill-reid-memorial-shelter.