Get Your List of Local Donation Drives Here!
Click on your city below:
Want to start your own drive?
CHILLIWACK DONATION DRIVES
- Accepting blankets, sleeping bags, winter clothing (coats, jeans, pants, sweaters, scarves, gloves, mitts, hats, socks (new) underwear (new).
- Partnered with the Salvation Army Food Bank, bring your non-perishable and essential goods to the event.
- Looking for non-perishable food and warm clothing including blankets, slippers, hats, gloves, children’s toys, clothing, make up.
- Drop off anytime at 45766 Patten Ave.
ABBOTSFORD DONATION DRIVES
- Accepting blankets, sleeping bags, winter clothing (coats, jeans, pants, sweaters, scarves, gloves, mitts, hats, socks (new) underwear (new).
- Partnered with the Salvation Army Centre of Hope, accepting warm socks, gloves, mittens, toques, hand and foot warmers, scarves, rain panchos and tarps.
- Personal hygiene items for men and women are always greatly appreciated!
LANGLEY DONATION DRIVES
- Accepting blankets, sleeping bags, winter clothing (coats, jeans, pants, sweaters, scarves, gloves, mitts, hats, socks (new) underwear (new).
- Accepting all winter clothing donations.
- Teaming up with Langley Senior Resources Society, looking for coats, sweaters, and blankets.
- The group is looking for new and gently used coats, scarves, gloves, blankets, unwrapped toys and gifts for children of all ages.
HOW TO START YOUR OWN DONATION DRIVE
1) Pick your nonprofit partner. First, contact local nonprofits and programs to understand their needs for the winter season. When you have chosen an organization, discuss their needs and the timing that works best for them.
2) Plan your donation drop off date and location or place collection bins. Once you determine the dates of your drive, you'll need to determine the best places around town for your collection bins. Consider spots that have easy access and higher traffic so you make it as convenient as possible for people to donate. Be sure to get approval before you leave a collection bin. Boxes will need to be large enough to hold bulky coats.
3) Promote. Promotion is extremely important to the success of your drive. Your flyers and signs should clearly state exactly what you are collecting. Be specific about sizes (toddler, child, youth and/or adult) and the quality (no broken zippers, rips, etc) of donated coats. And, include information about the needs of your community and the recipient nonprofit organization or program so people can feel good about the coats getting in the hands of those that need them.
4) Collect and sort. At the close of the drive you will hopefully have a lot of collecting and sorting to do. Enlist volunteers to help do the job and get the coats to the nonprofit. You may find coats that are not in good enough shape to pass along. You can check with your local thrift stores to see if they are able to accept them.
5) Increase your impact. A corporate sponsor can take your drive to the next level. Many corporations are actively looking for opportunities to support their local communities. Talk to a few friends. Make a few calls. A great partnership could make a real difference in your effort.
6) Celebrate your success! Ask your volunteers to help with the delivery and possibly even attend distribution day at the nonprofit. The words of thanks from the program director will feel great not to mention the gratitude from a coat recipient! Don't be shy. Send an email to the local press about your accomplishment and invite them to take photos. This is not self-promotion: your work may inspire others to do the same!
WANT YOUR DRIVE TO BE ADDED TO OUR LIST?
Do you know about a winter clothing drive that should be featured here?
Reach out to us at carmen@lombardihomes.com and we will add your drive!!
THANK YOU FOR HELPING OUT THOSE IN NEED!
about
This website was created by Carmen Lombardi, a Realtor at Century 21 Creekside in Chilliwack.