The folks at Milner Gardens want to help keep people warm this winter and have a blanket and sundries drive.
Photograph by: Submitted photo , for Langley Advance
A nice blanket is one of life's true comforts so the staff at Milner Gardens is helping make sure people in need will have blankets.
Milner Gardens is hosting a collection drive with the items collected being donated to the Gateway of Hope shelter "so together we can keep everyone warm this winter," said Karlee Slaa, in charge of Milner's marketing.
"We will be collecting new and nearly new cleaned blankets," explained Slaa. "We will also be accepting household items, new toiletries, new undergarments, clothing, coats and jackets, boots, gloves, and hats."
Take donations to the store on 216th Street. You can't miss it. Milner Gardens is the one with a massive bed outside announcing the collection drive.
The greenhouse has made it easier for people to help out.
"New blankets will also be available for purchase in store for donation," Slaa said.
Don't hesitate, the blanket drive wraps up Oct. 8 and Milner Gardens plans to have a comfy display of donations on its big bed for its public market on Oct. 6.
"We would love for donations to be brought in-store, the cashiers will receive them," she said.
Slaa added that the greenhouse and retailer wants to make the blanket drive an annual event, timed for when the weather starts to turn colder. The charity was chosen because it's close by and familiar to the community.
"Gateway of Hope is just down the road from Milner Gardens, and the work done by Gateway of Hope is incredible," she said.
To sweeten the deal, Milner has a prize - a $50 Spa Utopia gift certificate, for the person who brings in the most blankets.
In 2010 alone, the Gateway of Hope helped more than 800 people, and the numbers continue to grow.
The Gateway of Hope provides a homeless shelter for the community but also offers career training, a live-in program for men and women where they receive support and counselling to change their lives, and even support for families.
The services include emergency food hampers, emergency clothing vouchers, fire victim assistance, housewares start up packages, Christmas food and gift hampers, legal assistance, family tracing, referral services, and distribution of bread and baked goods.
