The 25th annual REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive launches on November 18. The program is the largest and longest running blanket drive in the Lower Mainland.

Between November 18 and 25, REALTOR® volunteers from Whistler to Chilliwack will collect donations of gently used or new clothing and blankets to help those in need during our cold, wet winter months. The donations are distributed to partner charities from the same communities where the items were received.

Realtors are asking the public to help make this year’s anniversary drive extra meaningful. Anyone can donate and it’s easy to do. More than 100 participating real estate offices across the Lower Mainland act as drop-off locations where you can bring a donation. Click here for a list of drop-off locations.

“For 25 years, donations to the REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive have helped provide warmth to Lower Mainland residents most in need,” said Ashley Smith, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver president. “The cold weather season is early this year, so every donation matters.”

The Blanket Drive collects a large amount of warm winter items on behalf of dozens of Lower Mainland charities to help about 35,000 people each year.

“Most of us know that home means comfort and safety. Sadly, we have far too many in our region who are homeless or can’t afford to adequately clothe themselves for the winter,” said Darin Germyn, Fraser Valley Real Estate Board president. “A warm blanket, clean, dry socks and a waterproof jacket can make an enormous difference and potentially even save a life.”

Needed items this year include:

  • Blankets or sleeping bags, gently used or new
  • Warm clothing, coats
  • Hats, gloves, scarves
  • New socks and underwear

The program has helped provide warmth to more than 385,000 people since it began in 1994. Follow this year’s Blanket Drive on social media using #blanketdrive25 or go to www.facebook.com/BlanketDrive for pictures, videos, stories and more.

The REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive is a partnership between the REALTORS® of the Fraser Valley, Greater Vancouver, and Chilliwack and District Real Estate Boards and their communities.

Click here for a copy of the Blanket Drive poster.

For more information, visit www.blanketdrive.ca.