Fraser Valley Real Estate Board Delivers Warmth to Local Shelter Organizations

During the event, more than 70 volunteers dedicated their time to sorting donations of warm clothing and blankets collected during the 31^st annual REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive. Held from November 17 to 24, the initiative saw REALTORS® and community members generously contribute winter essentials to 20 participating brokerage offices and partner drop-off locations.

Volunteers delivered items to 21 local Fraser Valley shelter-related organizations such as the Ishtar Women’s Resource Society, the Avalon Recovery Society and the Surrey Urban Mission. Their efforts helped local charities manage resources more efficiently during a particularly busy time of year, which in turn helped those relying on the shelters get the support they need.

“The REALTORS Care^® Blanket Drive continues to make a meaningful impact on the people we serve,” said Janet Brown, Director of Communications at Surrey Urban Mission. “Every donated item we receive helps individuals stay safe through the cold months, while supporting the most vulnerable and marginalized in our community. This is the warmth that lasts; a sense of being seen, supported, and valued during life’s most difficult moments.”

This year’s blanket drive collected 907 bags of donations, including coats, winter accessories, sweaters, blankets, and other cold-weather essentials. Each bag supports up to 10 people, meaning approximately 9,000 individuals are positively impacted through the initiative. Donations helped partner organizations meet increased seasonal demand, reducing strain on limited resources and ensuring individuals and families had immediate access to warmth and winter essentials.

From hosting donation events, such as Homelife Titus’s  annual Christmas charity event, to collecting monetary donations, each brokerage found its own way to contribute. REALTORS® in Abbotsford, including teams led by REALTORS® David Corrie and Rajin Gill, partnered with organizations like the Khalsa Diwan Society and the Abbotsford Smile Foundation to expand the drive’s reach. Volunteers also collected donations directly from clients and delivered them to central sorting hubs, where teams from brokerages, such as Stonehaus Realty  and Royal LePage Wolstencroft , worked together to sort, bag, and prepare items for delivery.

“In a year when many families are feeling the strain of rising costs, the need in our communities has never been greater,” said Tore Jacobsen, Chair of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “I’m incredibly proud of our members, who continue to show up with generosity, empathy, and service. Their dedication makes a real and lasting difference for thousands of people across the Fraser Valley.”