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Dad's drive led to Blanket B.C.

Profound moment sparked charity

Six years ago, Gregory Ould was leaving a movie theatre when he noticed a man sitting in an alcove.

It was a cold October evening and something compelled Ould to go talk to the man.

"It was obvious he was homeless and I asked him if I could do anything to help him," said the 37year-old father of two small children.

"I expected him to say money or cigarettes or even a sandwich."

The man looked up to him and softly said, "a

The fact that all he wanted was a blanket hit Ould like a bullet.

"It was such a profound moment for me," he said over the phone from his home in Mission.

"Through my work at the time (he was employed by Bell Mobility), I started to collect blankets from my colleagues."

Soon, word spread and customers were offering to help.

Thus the Blanket BC Society was born.

Since its inception, more than 50,000 blankets have been distributed across the Lower Mainland to charitable organizations such as Union Gospel Mission, Covenant House, Lookout Aid Society and here in Richmond, St. Albans Church.

This weekend, the nonprofit organization launches its 3rd Annual Drive on the Line campaign.

In partnership with ProTrans BC, which is the operator of the Canada Line, this two-day blanket drive has attracted more than 100 volunteers who will be manning stations all over the Lower Mainland, including three in Richmond.

"The need is ridiculous," said Ould. "It grows every year.

"The reality is a lot of people refuse to go to a homeless shelter, because they have been robbed of their possessions in the past, and they tell me they'd rather take their chances on the street."

Last year, the organization collected more than 6,000 blankets for the homeless and downtrodden.

In Richmond, you can drop off donations of blankets at the following three Canada Lines: Richmond Brighouse, Aberdeen Centre Station and Bridgeport Station.

Volunteers will be at all three locations this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to collect donations of warm blankets as well as socks, scarves, mittens and toques. Look for the large bins.

"This year, I'm hoping to collect 12,000," he said.

"We'd like to double what we collected last year because this winter is supposed to be bitterly cold."

For more information on becoming a volunteer or to make a donation, call Ould at 778-242-9940 or visit www. BlanketBC.org.

mhopkins@richmond-news.com