DDM Global News
Share the Warmth: Winter Clothing Drive
The year of 2020 was a challenging year for many people, especially for those in need. Dharma Drum Mountain Vancouver Youth Group recently organized a winter clothing drive to collect new or gently-used winter clothes for the homeless in their region. The donations were delivered to several charity organizations, whose aim is to keep those in need warm during the hard winter season.On the day of the event, many people came to Dharma Drum Mountain Vancouver to drop off their clothing donations. Through this event, the monastery collected a total of 1528 donations including winter clothing, hygiene products, brand new underwear, and sleeping bags. Within two weeks of collection, all donations were delivered to the 4 separate charity organizations across 2 cities: Lookout Housing and Health Society (New Westminster), Elizabeth Fry (New Westminster), WISH (Downtown Vancouver), and Downtown Eastside Women's Centre (Downtown Vancouver).
The aim of the four charitable organizations is to help and support the homeless, especially women and children. According to one of the charity volunteers, the pandemic has been tough on charity organizations as the donations they received had dramatically decreased compared to previous years.When the volunteers delivered the donations to one of the organizations, they saw that their shelves of many needed supplies were all empty, and long lines of men and women waiting desperately to receive them. Dharma Drum Mountain Vancouver is grateful to the many donors showed their kindness and compassion, especially in difficult times like these. Their acts of kindness exemplify what it means to "nurture blessings and be blessed".
Text: Monica Ho
Editing: Greg Aiani