The revamped format for this year’s Realtors Care Blanket Drive raised $50,000 for local housing-related charities, including six each in Abbotsford and Mission.
The annual campaign normally involves more than 18,000 realtors in the region collecting and distributing blankets and lightly used clothing. The donations help more than 35,000 residents stay warm during the winter months.
But this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign switched to a virtual online fundraiser, with a $15,000 goal. The campaign ran from Nov. 23 to 30.
The 26-year-old blanket drive campaign is a partnership among the Lower Mainland’s three real estate boards – the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB), and the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board.
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FVREB president Chris Shields said this year’s support was “amazing.”
“Our donation page received many comments from realtors saying that the pandemic isn’t going to stop the profession from helping the people they’ve helped for 26 years, the fundraiser was a great way to give back, and more,” Shields said.
Charities being supported in Abbotsford are: 5 and 2 Ministries, the Salvation Army, Cyrus Centre, Gateway Community Church (extreme-weather shelter), Raven’s Moon Resource Society and the Warm Zone.
Charities in Mission are: Lydia Home (Union Gospel Mission), Hope Central Ministry (New Heights Church), Mission Community Services Society, Mission Friendship Centre Society, and Mission Youth House.
Visit blanketdrive.ca for more information.