Being warm in winter is a luxury many people can’t afford.
That’s why the South Okanagan Real Estate Board (SOREB) stepped up in 2018 to take on the lead role in helping supply the less fortunate with everything from clothing to blankets to footwear to hats.
After eight years as Cover with Kindness, run by the notary Greg Litwin, also a director of the Soupateria Society, the program was taken over by SOREB and re-named Warm Up for Winter.
READ MORE: Warm Up for Winter drive expands to cover the South Okanagan
They also expanded the service outside the city limits to cover the entire South Okanagan.
“Basically what we’re trying to do is warm up the community in all aspects that we can,” said realtor Lori Lancaster, who got involved with the program last year and is helping organize this year.
From now until Nov. 18 items can be dropped off at designated realty offices in Penticton, Summerland and Osoyoos.
On Nov. 21, the doors to St. Saviour’s Church Hall will be open for one day only from noon until 6 p.m.
“We’ve extended it two hours long this year because we found there were a lot of children that came in,” said Lancaster. “I noticed that there was a need for little grab bags too, so we have Christmas oranges, apples and juice boxes because those kids were hungry.”
Last year the communities were so giving organizers found they had plenty left over and reached out to the men’s and women’s transition houses and the South Okanagan Women in Need Society (SOWINS) to see if they had a need for the materials.
“So this year we’ve given those places a month’s notice and they will show up at 6 (p.m.)” said Lancaster. “That was a major priority, to just fill up the community, because that’s what people (who donated) wanted, that the things go where they’re needed.
“That’s why blankets and bedding are key items so we can provide those items to those homes.”
READ MORE: Board warms up to the task of running Cover with Kindness
The following are drop off locations and times: South Okanagan Real Estate Board 103 – 3310 Skaha Lake Rd. Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Royal LePage Locations West Realty 484 Main St. Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
RE/MAX Penticton Realty 101 – 3115 Skaha Lake Rd Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Coldwell Banker Okanagan Realty 101 -1873 Main St. Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fair Realty 130 – 300 Riverside Dr., Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hometime Realty 101 – 3547 Skaha Lake Rd Wednesday & Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Century 21 Amos Realty 104 – 383 Ellis St., Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Summerland
Giants Head Realty 13200 Victoria Rd., N Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Parker Real Estate 13242 Victoria Rd., N Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Royal LePage Parkside Realty 9925 Main St. Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Osoyoos
Royal LePage Desert Oasis Realty 8512 Main St. Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Mark Brett | Reporter
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