Submitted
The Comox Valley Business Network (CVBN) is seeking clean, consignment-quality clothing items for its “Clothing Swap for Care-a-Van” fundraiser Oct. 19.
The way it works is simple: drop off up to 10 clean, consignment-quality clothing items at one of the drop-off locations (below) and pay a $10 donation fee. Then, from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19, head to the Courtenay Legion for shopping, entertainment and refreshments, and to pick up the same number of items as you contributed.
All proceeds and remaining clothing items will be donated to the Care-a-Van, which is dedicated to prevention and early intervention of homelessness in the Comox Valley by providing access to health care and related services to homeless or at-risk individuals.
“Not only is this a great way to spice up your wardrobe or hunt down cool items ahead of Halloween, it’s also a fun way to support some true unsung heroes in the Comox Valley,” says CVBN president Beth Campbell Duke. “We were all really inspired by the work that Care-a-Van is doing in the community.”
“There’s an estimated 250 individuals living in absolute homelessness in the Comox Valley and 3,000 at risk of homelessness,” says Helen Boyd, co-ordinator of the Care-a-Van program. “In our five years, we’ve helped more than 850 distinct individuals.
“The Clothing Swap is a fantastic idea,” she adds, noting that her organization is funded entirely through community donations. “We give thousands of items year-round to those in need, and they so appreciate receiving free clothing given their limited funds. In the winter months, it’s crucial that they can dress warmly and stay healthy. We’re so grateful to the Comox Valley Business Network for this creative fundraising idea.”
Clothing items can be dropped off until Oct. 17 at Mackenzie Gartside & Associates, 5-202 Fifth St. above Zocalo Café. In addition, there will be a number of rotating drop-off locations:
• Oct. 4: Quality Foods in Comox, 10 a.m. to noon
• Oct. 8: Ginger Nine on Fifth Street, 1-3 p.m.
• Oct. 11: Serious Coffee on Cliffe, 10 a.m. to noon
• Oct. 16: Serious Coffee on Cliffe, 3-5 p.m.
For complete details, visit www.cvbn.ca/clothing-swap, email clothingswap@cvbn.ca or call Beth Campbell Duke at 250-650-1527. To learn more about the Care-A-Van and how you can help, visit www.comoxbaycare.org.