South Surrey, White Rock real-estate offices collecting for blanket drive, flood relief

Following a one-year hiatus, an annual tradition of collecting blankets and warm clothing for those most in need has returned and is in full swing.

The 27th REALTORS Care Blanket Drive got underway Tuesday (Nov. 15) and will continue through Nov. 29 – extended by a week in an effort to also assist those affected by the recent flooding and landslides.

READ MORE: PHOTOS: Abbotsford from above after destructive flooding

The tradition typically sees realtors throughout South Surrey and White Rock join their counterparts across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley in an effort to collect and distribute sleeping bags, blankets and lightly used cold-weather clothing – as well as new socks and underwear – to help thousands of less fortunate residents stay warm during the winter months.

This year, any financial donations received during the drive will be directed to support those affected by the natural disaster. According to a news release issued Monday (Nov. 22), proceeds will go to the Canadian Red Cross’s British Columbia Floods and Extreme Weather Appeal.

“In times of crisis, we must adapt,” said Taylor Biggar, chair of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV). “That’s why we decided to pivot this year’s campaign to support the Red Cross in its province-wide relief efforts.”

“According to the provincial government, nearly 18,000 people have been evacuated to date, with thousands of properties on evacuation orders or alerts,” added Larry Anderson, president of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB). “Let’s give what we can to make a difference together.”

Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative shifted to collect only cash donations. A return to the traditional drive is possible this year due to rising vaccination rates and new safety guidelines, according to information online.

READ MORE: Annual Realtors Care Blanket Drive adapts to pandemic

The campaign is a partnership among the Lower Mainland’s three real estate boards – the REBGV, the FVREB, and the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board. Items are sorted and distributed in the same area in which they are collected.

In South Surrey and White Rock, the drive supports:

• Avalon Recovery Society

• Bill Reid Place (part of Options Community Service)

• Extreme Weather Shelter (part of Peninsula United Church)

• The Launching Pad Addiction Rehabilitation Society

• Sources Women’s Place

• Sources White Rock/South Surrey Food Bank

• Sources Community Resource Centre

• Atira Women’s Resource Centre

Across the region, there are more than 100 drop-off locations. Of those, seven are on the Semiahmoo Peninsula: Coldwell Banker Marquise Realty (103-3088 Croydon Dr.); HomeLife Benchmark (1-1920 152 St.); Hugh & McKinnon Realty (14007 North Bluff Rd.); Macdonald Realty (100-2429 152 St.); Royal LePage Northstar (118-15272 Croydon Dr.); RE/MAX Colonial Pacific Realty (15414 24 Ave.); and Sutton Group-West Coast (15595 24 Ave.).

For more information, or to make a financial donation, visit www.blanketdrive.ca