For the sixteenth straight year, local realtors are giving back to the underprivileged in Squamish.
The annual Realtors Care Blanket Drive has returned and with the recent blast of cold air that the Sea to Sky Corridor has experienced, it's the perfect time for the community to help out.
It's expected to be a cold winter as meteorologists are calling for a La Niña weather cycle and, combined with other factors, the need for assistance could be the highest in the drive's history.
"Add to that, the economy is still in recovery," Jake Moldowan, president of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, said in a statement. "So for all of those reasons, there's a huge need for warm clothing and blankets for vulnerable people in our communities. Charities will need even more donations if they're to adequately respond to the perfect storm of a recovering economy, an anticipated tough winter and increased homelessness."
The 10-day event sees realtors throughout Squamish combine with those from across the Lower Mainland to collect warm clothes and bedding.
Last year, the drive collected 4,350 bags of donations, which helped out more than 13,000 people across the province. It's the seventh year that Squamish realtors have participated and organizer Debbie Anderson said the response from the community has been strong.
"The support we've received from this community is excellent," said Anderson, who works at Royal LePage Black Tusk Realty. "The people who get the clothing and blankets are so appreciative and we're happy to help distribute these items to those in need."
The Squamish Helping Hands Society will be the recipient of the donations and Anderson said organizers are looking for a number of different items to help the homeless.
"They have told us they would appreciate warm clothing, toiletries, warm underwear and socks," Anderson said. "They just received a few boxes of blankets from the Salvation Army but will still take blankets or sleeping bags."
Deanna Horn, president of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, encourages the public to donate the best quality of items that they can - both gently used and new.
"Our charities give us wish lists," she said. "People coming in from the streets are looking for warm winter coats, sleeping bags, hoodies, toques and gloves. Community-service clients are looking for blankets, bed sheets and everyday clothing for themselves and their children that they otherwise just can't afford."
Despite the cold weather, Kyle Hislop, the president of the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board, is confident that realtors will deliver results.
"During our first year in 2006, we received over a foot of snow the week before the Blanket Drive and then three days into it, we were hit with another massive snowstorm," he said. "Regardless, our volunteers were determined to collect donations for our community. There's a tremendous amount of passion behind the blanket drive because of the difference it makes."
Locals can donate at any real estate office in Squamish and Anderson said the group's goal is to reach 100 bags donated this year.
The event runs from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6 but Anderson pointed out that the offices will be accepting donations for a number of weeks following the drive's official closing date.
For more information on the drive, visit www.rebgv.org/blanket-drive.
