2011 REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive

VIDEO BLOG TELLS STORIES OF LONGEST RUNNING BLANKET DRIVE IN METRO VANCOUVER

Blanket Drive partners with schools video: Click here 

VIDEO BLOG TELLS STORIES OF LONGEST RUNNING BLANKET DRIVE IN METRO VANCOUVER

VANCOUVER - For the first time in its 17-year history, a video blog will tell the REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive story, from the perspective of the volunteers, charities and community partners who make it happen.

From the hands of the initial donor to the final hand-off to someone in need, every Blanket Drive item travels a long journey. The video blog provides a glimpse into that journey.

You’ll hear from volunteers about how they get communities involved in the Blanket Drive. For example, Richmond Volunteer Jan Rankin helps local schools raise awareness of the Blanket Drive among students.

“Each school manages the program differently, but it’s usually the older kids (grade 6 and 7) who take charge,” says Rankin. “They take responsibility for the program themselves, and a lot of them take great pride in it.”

At Covenant House Vancouver, you’ll see where donations go and what the donations mean to the people they help. You’ll also hear about the work they do to prepare the donations they receive.

“People literally show up here with just the clothes on their backs,” says Michelle Clausius, Associate Director of Development and Communications. “Sometimes it’s as simple as getting them a fresh pair of underwear and a pair of pyjamas so they can get a good night’s sleep.”

You’ll hear from members like Don MacKay, one of the original Blanket Drive volunteers, about what prompted him to get involved way back in 1995.

Future blog segments will include how organizations in the community partner with the Blanket Drive - how a local business woman collects $70,000 of new clothing in donations, and why the Vancouver Police Department uses Blanket Drive donations.

The 17th annual REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive runs from Monday, November 28until Monday, November 5 across the Lower Mainland. For a list of drop-off locations and charitable recipients, go to:

 www.blanketdrive.ca 

www.facebook.com/blanketdrive

www.twitter.com/FVREB or www.twitter.com/REBGV   (#RCBD)