For over 20 years, the annual Coats for Kids cold weather wear drive has helped families in need all over the lower mainland.
Greater Vancouver Homebuilders’ Association members have been providing drop-off locations for people to donate lightly used and new coats since 1995, in support of the Lower Mainland and Surrey Christmas Bureaus.
For the upcoming 2017 campaign there are 57 participating locations across 13 municipalities.
Winter jackets (Pexels)
Coats for Kids runs from Monday, November 14 through Thursday, December 1.
Last year, an impressive more than 3,600 gently used and new coats, scarves, gloves, blankets, and new toys were donated for distribution to children of all ages.
Vancouver Christmas Bureau Executive Director Chris Bayliss said: "The needs are real, and clothing is often overlooked. People think of toys and food around this time of year, but keeping kids warm is an essential need for every parent too; especially during the colder winter months."
One way to donate is to round up your household's gently used gear, though buying new is a welcome option as well. Organizers say coats for teens are in high demand, but point out that while sizing may be in the adult range, teens enjoy youthful styles.
Other items accepted include new or used scarves, hats, gloves, and new unwrapped toys (hockey sticks, soccer and basketballs, and art supplies are always a hit).
Photo: Pixabay
Here are the 2017 Coats for Kids drop-off locations:
ABBOTSFORD
Westerra Equipment - 31260 South Fraser Way; M-F: 8.00am – 5.00pm
BURNABY
- Abstract Homes & Renovations Inc, - #230 - 4388 Still Creek Drive; M-F: 10.00a – 4.00p
- Alture Properties - #104, 3991 Henning Drive; M-F: 9.00a – 5.00p
- Ames Tile & Stone – 2229 Beta Ave; M-F: 8.00a – 5.00p; Sat: 9.00a – 4.00p
- Blue Ocean Construction Inc. - #103 8327 Eastlake Dr; M-F: 8.30a - 5.00p
- Boffo Developments Ltd. - #200 4580 Hastings St; M-F: 8.00a – 5.00p
- Caesarstone Canada - 5555 Trapp Ave; M-F: 8.00a – 5.00p
- CHBA BC - #400 6400 Roberst Street; M-F: 9.00a – 4.00p
- Dick's Lumber & Building Supplies - 2580 Gilmore Ave; M-F: 6.30a – 5.00p; Sat: 7.00a – 4.00p
- Federated Insurance - #108 4595 Canada Way; M-F: 8.00a – 4.00p
- Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada Inc. - #120, 8061 Lougheed Hwy (Loading Bay/Back Door); M-F: 8.00a - 4.30p
- TQ Construction Ltd. - #106 8988 Fraserton Crt; M-F: 9.00a – 5.00p
- TQ Construction Ltd. - 4382 Southwood Street; M-S: 24 Hours
- WireChief Electric Ltd. - #201 3701 Hastings St; M-F: 9.00a - 5.00p
COQUITLAM
- Creative Home Furnishings -Unit D 1100 Lansdowne Dr; M-F: 10.00a- 5.00p; Sat: 10.00a – 5.00p; Sun: 12.00p – 5.00p
- Morningstar Homes Ltd. - 946 Brunette Ave, 2nd Floor; M-F: 8.00a – 4.00p
- Trail Appliances - 2550 Barnet Hwy; M-T: 9.00a – 5.30p, F: 9.00a – 8.00p; Sat: 9.00a – 5.00p; Sun: 11.00a – 5.00p
- Troico Home Solutions & Manufacturing Inc. - 1308 Ketch Crt; M-F: 8.30a - 4.30p; Sat: 10.00a - 2.00p
DELTA
- Best Builders Ltd. - #103 5461 12th Ave; M-F: 9.00a - 4.00p
- Kemp Construction/ Sarah Gallop Designs - #11 1835 56 St; M-F: 8.00a – 5:00p
- Talisman Homes Ltd. - Tsawwassen Springs Clubhouse, 5133 Springs Blvd; M-F, Sat & Sun: 9.00a - 9.00p
Taymor Industries Ltd. - 1655 Derwent Way; M-F: 8.00a – 4.30p
- Trail Appliances –Clearance - #10-820 Cliveden Place; F: 9:00a – 8:00 p, Sat: 9:00a- 5:00p, Sun: 11:00a – 5:00p, M-Th 9:00a – 5:30p
LANGLEY
- Benchmark Homes Ltd. - #304 6360 202 St; M-F: 9.00a – 5.00p
- Centra Construction Group - 20216 98 Ave; M-F: 8.30a – 5.00p
Country Lumber Ltd. - 22538 Fraser Hwy, M-F: 6.00a – 5.30p, Sat: 8.00a – 4.30p
- Trail Appliances - #200 19888 Langley Bypass; M-T: 9.00a – 5.30p, F: 9.00a – 8.00p, Sat: 9.00a – 5.00p & Sun: 11.00a – 5.00p
NEW WESTMINSTER
Griff Building Supplies – 340 Ewen Ave; 7.00a – 5.00p; Sat: 8.00a – 4.00p
NORTH VANCOUVER
- Afdon Contracting Ltd. - 600-1055 West 14th St; M-F: 9.00a – 5.00p
- Beyond Beige Interior Designs Inc. 1121 15th St; M-F: 10.00a – 6.00p
- Black Fish Homes Ltd. - 107-1305 Welch St; M-F: 9.00a – 4.00p
- Capilano Builders Ltd. - #3, 1433 Rupert St; M-F: 8.00a – 4.30p
- Dick's Lumber & Building Supplies - 160 Hanes Ave; M-F: 6.30a -5.00p, Sat: 8.00 – 5.00p
- Ethical Flooring Ltd. - #110, 2270 Dollarton Hwy; M-F: 10.00a – 5.00p
- GD Nielsen Homes Ltd. - #129 1305 Welch St; M-F: 9.00a - 5.00p
- Shakespeare Homes and Renovations Inc. - #106 - 173 Forester St; M-F: 8.00a – 4.30p
PORT COQUITLAM
Port Coquitlam Building Supplies Ltd. - 2650 Mary Hill Rd; M-F: 6.30a- 5.30p, Sat: 8.00a – 4.30p, Sun: 9.00a – 4.00p
PORT MOODY
Green Sheet Construction Data Ltd. - 100 Sycamore Dr: M-F, Sat & Sun: 9.00a – 5.00p
RICHMOND
- Preston Mobility - #128 13071 Vanier Pl; M-F: 8.00a – 5.00p
- STOR-X Organizing Systems - #150 11120 Hammersmith Gate; M-F: 8.00a – 4.30p
- Trail Appliances – 3388 Sweden Way; M-T: 9.00a – 6.00p, F: 9.00a – 8.00p, Sat: 9.00a – 5.00p & Sun: 11.00a – 5.00p
SURREY
- Dick's Lumber & Building Supplies - 12433 80 Ave; M-F: 6.30a – 5.00p, Sat: 7.00a – 4.00p
- Dick's Lumber & Building Supplies - 19950 92 Ave, M-F: 7.00a – 4.00p
- Duradek – 8288 129 St, M-F: 8.00a – 4.00p
- Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association - #1003, 7495 - 132 St, M-F: 8.30a – 4.30p
- My House Design / Build Team Ltd. - #2, 15356 Fraser Hwy; M-F: 9.00a – 5.00p
- Puccino’s Coffee Bar - #1014 7495 132 St; M-F: 7.00a – 4.00p
- Stor-More Closet & Blinds Ltd. - #111-19231 54 Ave; 8.00a – 5.00p; Sat: 9.00a – 1.00p
- Starline Windows - 19091 36 Avenue; M-F: 7.00a – 5.00p
- Shell Busey's Home Improvements - #7 2320 King George Blvd, M-F: 9.00a – 3.00p
- Trail Appliances – 6750 King George Blvd; M-T: 9.00a – 5.30p, F: 9.00a – 8.00p, Sat: 9.00a – 5.00p & Sun: 11.00a – 5.00p
- Williams Machinery - 10240 Grace Rd; M-F: 8.00a – 4.30p
VANCOUVER
- Capital Home Energy - #250 1778 West 2nd Ave; M-F: 10.00a – 4.00p
- Conwest Group of Companies - #250 1311 Kootenay St; M-F: 7.30a – 4.30p
- Creative Home Furnishings - 1738 West 2nd Ave, M-F: 11.00a – 6.00p, Sat: 10.00a – 5.00p, Sun: 12.00p – 5.00p
- Kerr Construction - 1676 W 75th Ave; M-F: 8.30a – 4.30p
- maison d'etre design-build inc. – 118 W 2nd Ave, M-F: 8.30a – 5.30p
- Marino General Contracting Ltd. - 1537 West 75th Ave; M-F: 8.00a - 4.30p
- Mr. Build Vancouver - 9129 Shaughnessy St; M-F & Sat: 7am - 5pm
- Saint Construction Management Ltd. - 2405 E Hastings St; M-F: 7.30a – 4.00p
- VGC Vancouver General Contractors Inc. – #200 3689 E 1st Ave M-F: 8.00a – 5.00p
- Trail Appliances - 2876 Rupert St; M-T: 9.00a – 5.30p, F: 9.00a – 8.00p, Sat: 9.00a – 5.00p & Sun: 11.00a – 5.00p