More than $50,000 worth of winter gear is heading to families in the Ukraine, thanks to the generosity of Blanket BC.
The charity runs “Drive On The Line” every year, collecting blankets and warm clothing from people along a number of Canada Line stations from Richmond to Vancouver.
Last week, Blanket BC handed over the new, unused winter gear – which had been donated to the charity over the years – to North Shore Fire & Rescue, which is collecting items of warmth for families going through the atrocities of war in the Ukraine.
The items, said Blanket BC, had been locked up in storage waiting for distribution, but had stayed in town due to a lack of funding for distribution.
“We are pleased to know that these items, among many other donations of blankets will be going to families in need during the harshest of times,” said Blanket BC founder Greg Ould.
Blanket BC’s 12th Annual Drive on the Line campaign two weeks ago collected over 2600 blankets and clothing and raised $3400 in cash donations, which will go towards repairing the charity’s only delivery van.
“The need is overwhelming this time of year, with shelters in desperate need to stock up before it’s too late,” added Ould.
“This winter is predicted to be one of the harshest and coldest in decades. Over the last three weeks, Blanket BC has handed out over 8,500 blankets to shelters, single room occupancies and directly to our most vulnerable on the streets in the DTES and throughout the Lower Mainland.”
