For your information, the following news release was issued by the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver and the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board earlier today.

COLD WEATHER PREDICTIONS SPUR REALTORS CARE® BLANKET DRIVE TO A NEW RECORD

VANCOUVER, BC – Facing down predictions for severe winter weather this year, the 16th annual REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive received its most overwhelming response to date. The Blanket Drive, which officially took place from November 29 to December 6, collected 5,186 bags of clothing, coats and blankets for dozens of charities across the Lower Mainland.

“The Blanket Drive has always relied on the efforts of our volunteers and the support of our communities,” said Jake Moldowan, President of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. “Seeing a response of this magnitude, I think everyone involved across the Lower Mainland deserves a pat on the back.”

Support for the Drive, now the largest collection of its kind in the Lower Mainland, ranges from individuals to corporations and retailers, all partnering with local REALTORS® to round-up quality items. In Coquitlam, West49 donated all the jackets (nearly 150) they received from their trade-in program. In Surrey, Terasen Gas employees again held their own mini-campaign collecting 69 bags of donations, as well as the company issuing a cheque to one of the Drive’s recipient charities. For the third year in a row, one of Vancouver’s largest clothing wholesalers, FX Fashion Exchange, donated dozens of boxes and bags of brand new men’s and women’s clothing and coats.

“One of our largest charity recipients in the Fraser Valley told us that the donations were so generous this year that they’ll have enough warm clothing to distribute to people who need it until next spring,” said Deanna Horn, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board.

“Our Drive may last only 10 days, but the assistance lasts for months. This has got to make Blanket Drive supporters feel so good to know the difference they’re making.”

Kyle Hislop, President of the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board added, “We’ve only been at this for five years now, but the response this year has been one of the strongest.

“When you think about the Blanket Drive being around for as long as it has, it’s pretty amazing to think about how much it has grown and the influence it has developed.”

The previous best year for the Blanket Drive was in 2009 when REALTORS® collected 4,396 bags of donations. Since its inception in 1994, the Blanket Drive has collected more than 27,000 bags of blankets, coats, winter clothing and other items. Donations are distributed for free and stay within the communities in which they are donated, or if the volumes are too large, are shared with the nearest community in greatest need.

For more information, go to www.blanketdrive.ca  or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/realtorscareblanketdrive.

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