Hundreds of coats and dozens of pallets of non-perishable food items were earmarked for those in need this holiday season thanks to donations from this years Christmas Convoy.
The fourth annual convoy took place Dec. 15 and 16 this year, with about 54 brightly lit vehicles taking part in the Pitt Meadows parade on the Friday, and double that on the Saturday through Maple Ridge.
“It was absolutely an amazing outcome,” said organizer Laura Faye.
Typically, noted Faye, the route through Silver Valley and Albion, is a little more busier, and on the Saturday night, thousands of residents came out to see the convoy, which, she said, brought tears to many drivers’ eyes.
Faye enjoyed seeing families come out to watch who plan out their whole evening around the convoy, setting up fire pits and dressing in festive outfits.
When she first started the event it was during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to help the community get in the festive spirit while maintaining a distance from other people. Now, she said, it is a tradition and she hears comments all the time about what a wonderful event it is. She even receives emails and texts asking her in September, when it will be taking place.
Faye was pleased with the amount of local participation, not only from drivers in the parade, but also local businesses that helped out, notably Superstore and Hyundai.
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“They did amazing this year with helping us out,” said Faye, about the almost full pallet of crackers, that they donated, along with Fibre 1 bars, Stove Top stuffing, and mashed potatoes that the grocery store donated.
And that was in addition to what the drivers contributed.
“We did ask drivers to bring at least one canned good,” said Faye, noting that it is considered part of being able to enter their vehicle into the parade.
Evan Seal, general manager of the Friends In Need Food Bank, confirmed that they received 433 pounds of non-perishable goods from the Christmas Convoy – food that is much needed at this time of the year.
“This year has been a struggle for so many people and we have definitely felt that impact at the food bank. Our client registration numbers have increased by 35 percent and we are now handing out over 800 hampers every week,” he said.
“The residents of Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge really stepped up with tremendous support this holiday season that will help us through December and into the new year,” added Seal.
Hyundai collected coats and blankets for their Kot Coat Drive, amassing a total of 349 jackets for the campaign both at the event and at the dealership.
Faye is hoping the Christmas Convoy is now a tradition which will keep going.
“I’m hoping that every year we can surpass the amount of vehicles that we have and surpass the amount of donations that we get,” she said.