With the winter months approaching, a city firm is repeating an annual campaign to give back to the neighbourhood they work in.
"We want to be a part of the community, a part of the downtown community," said Team Powerhouse Realty co-owner Mark McVey.
For the fifth year, the real estate group will be collecting donations of winter clothing, blankets and non-perishable food items at their 5th Avenue office Saturday, Nov. 5.
All items collected will go to Active Support Against Poverty (ASAP), a downtown shelter and social service located on 6th Avenue.
"Their support has been tremendous and we really appreciate it because it's very tangible what they bring to us," said ASAP executive director Audrey Schwartz.
McVey said his office attempts to do numerous things every year to give back to the community, but this annual November event is by far the most successful.
"It's amazing when you put on an event, how well it's received," McVey said, adding in the first years it was just his co-workers and clientele who were invited to participate and that the look on people's faces when they saw their donations filling up a moving van was something he wanted to repeat.
ASAP distributes the donations on an as-needed basis to their clients and also uses them to stock their clothing room for people who may not use their services but need warm things for themselves or their children.
"We have a lot of folks who don't have warm enough clothing to survive the winter," said Schwartz. "We try and stretch it as far as we can because winter is long. If you're on the street all day long, clothing's your only
protection."
McVey said his involvement has brought to light how difficult the winter is for those who don' t have a warm place to stay.
"Prince George is not a fun place to be
outside in January," he said.
Donations can be dropped off Nov. 5
between 10 a.m. and noon in front of the Team Powerhouse Realty office at 1253 5th Avenue.
