Thanks to kind folks who want to #spreadthewarmth we've surpassed over 50 contributors and raised over $8000 with 30 days left to go to reach our $15,000 goal.
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Did you know we're able to buy new blankets at wholesale prices from places like IKEA? We also use your money to cover basic operational costs like gas, storage, cleaning, equipment etc. It's getting colder - please support this incredible outreach program as we visit locations throughout the day to hand out blankets to those who just want to #survivethenight.

​*MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT**

Unfortunately this year, due to the ongoing pandemic and the fact the numbers of cases are increasing, Blanket BC’s #DriveOnTheLine (which would have been our 12th) has been official #POSTPONED.

I’m not happy about this knowing it negatively affects the amount of people we help each winter.
That said, we’re coming up with alternatives.

If YOU have any ideas to help Blanket BC raise 1000’s of blankets and monetary donations needed to keep operating, PLEASE SEND US YOUR IDEAS!

Help us keeping #SpreadingTheWarmth!
Love you all!
Gregory
https://www.richmond-news.com/.../annual-canada-line...

Each New Year brings additional challenges, struggles, and without a doubt, our hands-on approach has allowed us to quickly direct our limited resources where they were most needed.

This year we assisted additional shelters, various housing groups, transitional homes and generally adjusted our program to ensure that we continue to assist our original demographic of people in shelters, on the streets and to those homeless who are virtually unseen. The success we achieve stems from our fundamental dedication, responsiveness and our flexibility to continuously adapt to the changing needs of our clientele and our ability to obtain resources to meet the demand on our services on a timely basis.

We continue to take steps to strengthen our services with our flagship campaign in November and with that, Blanket BC’s "Drive on the Line" campaign celebrated its eighth year with a record number of monetary donations. We collected an amazing $6031.60 in our coin boxes and $1700 from our PayPal account – all truly driven by very enthusiastic Blanketeers. We collected over 5500 blankets during this year’s drive, and a little over 1200 articles of clothing. You just couldn’t beat the quality and enthusiasm of these wonderful people who came out to support our event!
This winter was met with many challenges including our horrendous snow storms which impacted pick-ups and deliveries. Even with the best of snow tires, the dangers were too great this year. Many organizations along with the people they protect were impacted greatly and it was a tough year.

This next year will test us as well. But with that, it will also create a stronger bond among us and create a greater drive within to overcome any adversity we will have before us. As a team we will move forward more focussed, more driven, and more motivated than ever before and after speaking with professionals in the non-profit and political world, knowing what our weakness is today, will help strengthen us for tomorrow.

I hope this has created a strong measure of satisfaction for all those who participated with Blanket BC projects; I strongly believe that we have developed a methodology for future growth with limited resources to those who continue to fight at the poverty level.

When Blanket BC started as a father/son small project, I never thought we’d be here today. In just over 11 years, I’m proud to say, we have collected and distributed over 250,000 blankets to date; and we’ve done so on limited funding. We’ve only been able to do so much because of the passion we have for people, the caring for our community and more importantly, volunteers like you! This is something we should all take pride in.

I am confident that our message regarding poverty is being received and understood in communities, businesses and schools throughout British Columbia. Our relationship with key donors, and longstanding partnerships with local businesses, and our ability to identify essential needs of our clientele, are the major factors that have made Blanket BC a recognized leader in shelter donations and homelessness advocacy.

In closing, I would like to think we ended the year energized, focused and with a strong sense of motivation. Blanket BC is confident that we can provide important services to our clientele even in the current difficult economic environment.
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I wish to thank you, our generous and committed donors, volunteers and board members, for your dedication and continued support. With your involvement, we can continue to help thousands of people that face daily challenges against all odds.

Thank you!

I'm truly in awe of Mr. Kenny Hess.
Kenny and I met a couple of months ago when I went to visit him in his office, unannounced, hoping to speak to him about possibly allowing us, Blanket BC Society, to have a booth for next years Rockin' River Music Fest. He not only asked me to sit down and chat openly, but wanted to know all about Blanket BC. I spoke from my heart about how BBC came to be; giving a blanket to someone in need. Kenny then told me a very personal story, one he recently shared with the amazing fans at R&R this past weekend. His brother Gregory Luke Hess, died on the streets many years ago. Kenny understands completely and intimately what we do is inherently good for our communities. He said to me right then and there, I don't want you next year, I want you this year!
Now, we're a small group of people that help make BBC run. I may do the majority of running around, picking up or dropping off blankets, giving speeches at either schools, business or charity clubs, but I have the most dedicated people assisting me with all the things we need to be a successful running organization.
Kenny helped us along with his most amazing staff. I'd like to take a moment and thank Charlie, Richard, Becca, Martin and Merv! Y'all made it just so easy.
Anyways, this past Saturday night, Kenny insisted that I and some of my Blanketeers join him on stage to introduce the us to the crowd throw out some BBC shirts . What I didn't know, (tissue please) is that Kenny had also intended on announcing that Blanket BC would be the recipient of the 50/50 draw and presented us with $1700 in cash!!! We were caught off guard with his generosity (once again) and this time it floored me. Yes, I wear my heart on my sleeve, and yes, I cried and I ain't gonna change for no one! But I couldn't have felt more humbled and honoured at that moment. I truly mean that.
So on behalf of Blanket BC's executive team and all our Blanketeers, I want to once again thank Kenny from the bottom and tops of our hearts for his kindness, love, generosity and friendship. I hope our friendship continues and that we may be part of a continued tradition the very successful and popular Rockin' River Music Fest!

One more thing...

I would like to personally congratulate Kenny on being inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame as it was announced on Saturday, Aug 9th, 2014. The ceremony will take place in our hometown of Mission, British Columbia at the Clarke Theatre. Congrats Kenny!

After years of talking about getting over to Victoria and Nanaimo to deliver blankets and meet with organizations that work with families and individuals that struggle to make ends meet; we finally made it!

Back in November, you may remember we talked about a bright young man by the name of Ethan, 11, who called us to find out how to create a blanket drive at his school. Well, in February, young Master Ethan, with help from his grade 6 classmates at Cedar Hill Middle School, ended up collecting nearly 60 blankets; all of which were donated to the Cool Aid Society.

On April 2nd and 3rd, I along with Blanket BC co-founder Benjamin (and his younger sister Emma) took the ferry to Victoria to meet with this warm hearted Blanket Ambassador where we were honoured to present him with Blanket BC's first Community Service Award! "It's all about giving back" Ethan explains to those on hand, which included Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin, Police Chief Frank Elsner, MLA (Mission/Maple Ridge) Hon. Marc Dalton, among many other dignitaries and directors of local shelters.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Each new year brings additional challenges and without a doubt, our hands-on approach allowed us to quickly direct our limited resources where they were most needed. This year we assisted additional shelters, various housing groups and generally adjusted our program to ensure that we continued to assist our original demographic of people in shelters, on the streets and to those homeless who are virtually unseen. The success we achieve stems from our fundamental dedication, responsiveness and our flexibility in continuously adapting to changing needs of our clientele and our ability to obtain resources to meet the demand on our services on a timely basis.

We have taken steps to strengthen our services with our major campaign in November in addition to a number of small fundraising functions held throughout the year.

With that, Blanket BC’s "Drive on the Line" campaign celebrated its fifth year with records numbers. We collected over 8000 blankets, over 2000 articles of clothing and received over $4500 with our coin boxes. This was all accomplished with the astounding numbers of Blanketeers, nearly 200 strong! I hope this has created a strong measure of satisfaction for all those who participated; as well we have developed a methodology for future growth with limited resources to those who continue to fight at the poverty level.

Since Blanket BC was founded eight and a half years ago, with have collected and distributed approximately 135,000 blankets.

I am confident that our message regarding poverty is being received and understood in communities throughout British Columbia. Our relationship with key donors and our ability to identify essential needs of our clientele are the major factors that have made Blanket BC a recognized leader in Shelter relief.

In closing, I would like to think we ended the year energized, focused and with a strong sense of motivation. Blanket BC is confident that we can provide important services to our clientele even in the current difficult economic environment.

I wish to thank you, our generous and committed donors, volunteers and board members, for your dedication and continued support. With your involvement, we can continue to help thousands of people that face daily challenges against all odds.




Warmest Regards,

Gregory Ould
Founder, Executive Director
Blanket BC Society