The Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association is proud to announce that this year's annual Coats for Kids campaign was a resounding success.
"We brought in around 3,300 items," says GVHBA CEO Bob de Wit. "That's about 10 per cent more than last year."
Among the items collected were jackets, scarves, toys and blankets, all of which will be donated to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau.
"It was a great year," says de Wit. "There were so many community members getting involved, including schools and hockey teams."
One Coquitlam bantam hockey team brought in over 200 items.
Next year, de Wit wants to collect 4,000 items for the Christmas Bureau, which helps families in need during the holiday season.
"We are really happy to be part of it," he says. "It's really gratifying when we go (to the Bureau) to know that we're helping."
The Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau is run by executive director Chris Bayliss, who de Wit compares to Santa Claus.
"During their busy season, he's there working 20 hours a day," de Wit says, adding, "It's a labour of love for him and his staff."