The 2020 REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive officially wrapped up on December 1. Thanks to your incredible generosity, we were able to raise $15,540.84 for 26 registered Canadian charities in the Fraser Valley. Read on to find out how much went to each area and how a few of our charities feel (so far) about your donation.
Including the funds collected by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, Realtors across the Lower Mainland helped to raise $50,000 for housing-related charities.
“The support and enthusiasm this year 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,” said Chris Shields, President, FVREB. “To everyone who supported the campaign this year, a warm, socially distanced thank you. We hope to help even more people next year.”
Depending on the amount you donated to the REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive, you may be eligible to receive a REALTORS Care® face mask and/or a certificate. We will be sending a mask out to all eligible donors along with a certificate of appreciation.
Visit our Blanket Drive page on REALTOR Link® for our full donor list. Note: Those who chose to donate anonymously are not included on this page.
Donation disbursements
The funds will allow 26 Fraser Valley charities to purchase new items for vulnerable people living in our communities. We distributed the donations based on the percentage of members in each area. Here’s the breakdown of the full $15,540.84:
- Abbotsford: $1,554.08
- Mission: $777.04
- Langley/Aldergrove: $3,263.58
- South Surrey/White Rock: $2,331.13
- Surrey/North Delta: $7,615.01
Note: The Charitable Impact website we used for the Blanket Drive recovered 2.8 per cent in credit card processing fees from the donation amounts but did not charge an administration fee.
From humble beginnings
The Blanket Drive started in 1995 when a small group of Vancouver-area Realtors were very concerned and worried about the homeless in Vancouver’s downtown east side. Soon, the initiative grew and adopted a Lower Mainland focus to help “shelter” those who don’t have shelter and it just kept growing, from Whistler to Chilliwack and everywhere in between, collecting warm clothing and blankets for those in need. Shelter is a key value for Realtors – it’s what you do for a living – so it’s no wonder that even during a global pandemic, you want to continue to shelter people in some way. Today the campaign supports dozens of charities throughout the region – here’s what some of them had to say:
“Please pass on our heartfelt thanks to the FVREB for the kind donation. The funds will be put towards our Relief Programs this year for supplies for those that are homeless living outdoors. Take care and Merry Christmas.”
– Carrie Prentice, Hope Central Ministry (New Heights Church) Director of Operations (Mission)
“We are so grateful to the amazing Realtors and brokerages at the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board for the support through this year’s REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive.”
– Kim Hissink, Centre of Hope (Salvation Army) Fundraising Coordinator (Abbotsford)
“Thanks again to all those involved in the REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive, again this year. COVID-19 has made this year very challenging but you have stepped up and supported us as best you can due to the situation. The funds donated to the Sources Community Resource Society and the South Surrey/White Rock Food Bank will enable us to provide essential social services to the most vulnerable members of our community. Wishing you all the best for the holidays and a better New Year!! From All of us at Sources!”
– Wendy Kaczur, Sources Women’s Place Coordinator (South Surrey/White Rock)
“Wagner Hills is so grateful for the generosity of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board every year, and this unexpected gift during the pandemic means more than ever. Thank you for helping us support men and women in their journey toward healing, growth, and transformation!”
– Gregg Davenport, Wagner Hills Farm Society Information Manager (Langley/Aldergrove)
“Every year, Atira provides a Holiday gift to every woman and child who lives in our buildings or accesses our services. We will be spending most of the funds received from REALTORS Care® to purchase toys for the children and PJ’s or other presents for the women. Your donation this year helped ensure that we can continue with this tradition even as some of our usual donors are unable to support us due to the current economic situation. Thank you so much for this generous donation!”
– Nina Vierrether, Atira Women’s Resource Society Volunteers & Practicums Coordinator (South Surrey/White Rock)
Thanks again to all our donors and those who helped to encourage clients and others to donate to the 2020 REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive. We also thank the Canadian Real Estate Association for providing a $1,000 REALTORS Care® bursary to support our event.