Day 59: Blanket BC

This GIVE was sent to me by a girlfriend. I really appreciate any suggestions for these GIVES. I still have 306 days to go so all your ideas are welcome.

Today is Blanket BC Day and it’s a story worth sharing. This project is one man’s mission to help other people and has turned into a blanket drive across Vancouver to help the homeless on our streets. Today I am tagging along for the ride and to spread an amazing story of giving.

This is an excerpt taken right from founder Gregory’s Ould’s site, Blanket BC.

“While walking out of a movie theatre in downtown Vancouver on a chilly October night, Gregory noticed a man lying in an alcove at the side of a building. Always so curious, Greg went up to the man, whose appearance looked that of 60 years old, he asked the man if there was anything that he could do to help him out. Thinking he would ask for food or drink, cigarettes or coffee, Gregory wasn’t prepared for what the man said. “I could use a blanket…to survive the night.” Blown away by those words, Greg went out and brought back a blanket. The act of that one offer has now continued and blossomed to a family endeavor to assist charity organizations like SHARE from the Tri-Cities, or the Union Gospel Mission’s shelters or any other Churches that open their space to the homeless and families in need of help.”

GIVE 59: Day 59

You would never think that a single blanket given by one man would be such a gift to someone, but when you are sleeping on the street and the snow is coming down, a blanket can save your life.

Blanket BC has been set up with volunteers collecting blankets at stations along the transit line here in Vancouver. All you have to do is a blanket to a transit station near you and drop it off in the donation boxed manned by volunteers across the city.

This is a great GIVE to do with your kids. A lesson in philanthropy and compassion for others. My 3 year old son and his Grandmother came along for the ride today. Our first stopped was at our local Salvation Army Thrift Store to pick up 2 blankets. I didn’t have an extras on hand so what better way GIVE than to purchase the blankets at a store where the money goes directly to supporting a not-for-profit organization and turn it around to support someone in need. A double GIVE!

Since we live in West Vancouver we had to drive over the Lions Gate Bridge to the Waterfront Station where I had already discovered the blanket drive was taking place. We had the wonderful opportunity to meet Betsy, a dedicated volunteer for this fantastic event. She took the time to talk with us about the drive and why she volunteers to support such a worth cause. You can check out our interview on YouTube or click on the video on my site.

If you didn’t make it to Blanket BC day today or just don’t live in Vancouver grab a blanket any time this winter and take a drive to any city downtown core and deliver one to two personally to a person living on the street. It’s never to late to keep someone a little bit warmer this winter.

Time Commitment: 1 hour

Cost $15