Michaela Garstin
news@langleyadvance.com
Langley residents are giving their annual gift of warmth this holiday season through a few different blanket and coat drives.
Each year, thousands of people in need receive blankets, coats, and other winter clothing that are dropped off at locations throughout the community.
The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is holding its 23rd annual Realtor’s Care Blanket Drive from until Nov. 23. The items collected benefit the Gateway of Hope a shelter run by the Salvation Army; the Ishtar Transition Housing Society, a service for women and children fleeing domestic violence; and Wagner Hills Ministry, a residential treatment and counselling centre for men with drug and alcohol addictions.
“Donate some warm socks, a sweater, or a blanket and you’ve just helped someone desperately in need,” said Clayton Lindberg, the drive’s team leader for Langley.
Last year, 152 bags of clothing and blankets were collected.
Home builders collecting coats
Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association is also collecting coats for kids, especially youth aged 12 to 18.
“We have a great response for little kids’ jackets, and we still definitely need those, but we’re also looking for older kids. Kids come in all ages,” said Bob de Wit, CEO of the home builders’ association.
“Often kids grow out of their jackets quicker when they’re younger, so there are more to donate. This is why we don’t see as many for older kids.”
The 20th annual Coats for Kids campaign runs until Dec. 2 at locations throughout Langley, such as Hilti Canada, Trail Appliances, and the Langley Advance. The list also includes Starline Windows and Vesta Properties.
Last year, 4,000 coats were collected for the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau and the Surrey Christmas Bureau, and this year de Wit predicts 5,000 will be donated.
Unwrapped gifts are also accepted.
Langley’s Urban Barn helping Surrey charity
Urban Barn locations in Langley are also providing a brighter Christmas for families in need through their Blanket the Country in Warmth campaign. With each $5 donation made in-store until Dec. 6, a new fleece blanket will be donated to the Gateway Shelter, a shelter for men and women who are homeless in Surrey.
This year’s goal is to donate 13,000 blankets. Last year, 10,000 blankets were given to those most in need.
Follow #blanketthecountry on Twitter to keep up with the event.
For drop off locations visit:
Realtor’s Care Blanket Drive – rebgv.org/blanket-drive-drop-locations
Coats for Kids – gvhba.org/events/coatsforkids
Blanket the Country in Warmth – blanketthecountry.com