Lotus Light Responds to Extreme Weather for Vancouver’s Homeless

PRESS RELEASE
November 14, 2014

Arrival of freezing overnight temperatures in Metro Vancouver has alerted Lotus Light Charity Society Vancouver to act immediately providing needy donations to homeless organizations. Extreme weather shelters across Metro Vancouver are now open and homeless outreach organizations are encouraging the homeless to come inside.

“The City of Vancouver’s most vulnerable people, the homeless and needy, urgently need our help to survive this cold weather,” said Master Lian Tzi, President of Lotus Light Charity Society (Vancouver). “We remain hopeful this cold weather strategy of directly providing emergency supplies and sleeping bags to the street homeless will save lives, especially for individuals reluctant or unwilling to seek shelter.”

The Lotus Light Charity Society (Vancouver) has arranged for immediate distribution today of new sleeping bags, shampoo, conditioners and soaps to Covenant House, Direction Youth Services and Union Gospel Mission. Street outreach workers of Covenant House and Direction Youth Services are out on streets at nights to distribute new sleeping bags and offer help to youths mostly age 16 to 24 who refuse to enter into shelters. “Thanks to Lotus Light Charity Society Vancouver we will be able to offer the gifts of warmth and comfort to many homeless and at risk youth this winter season,” said Amy Cotton, Development Associate of Covenant House. “Lotus Light Charity donations gives a chance for outreach a chance offer youth a warm safety item, engage in conversation on other issues, and build rapport with service resistant to youth,” said John Kehler of Team Lead Day Program of Direction Youth Services Family Services of Greater Vancouver.

This winter season, Lotus Light Charity Society (Vancouver) distributes a total of 2,000 winter care packages and 350 sleeping bags to the homeless directly on the streets through its volunteer teams and at various local shelter visits.
The Lotus Light Charity Society relies on financial and in-kind donations from individuals and corporate supporters to continue its campaign to distribute sleeping bags and emergency care packages in partnership with local shelters and family service agencies throughout the Lower Mainland, including the Vancouver Police Homeless Outreach Unit, the BC Ambulance Service and City of Vancouver’s
Homeless Shelter Program. Sponsorship of a winter care package is $15 each and will delivered into the hands of homeless this Christmas!

For further information, please contact:
Sean X. Ouyang
Lotus Light Charity Society (Vancouver)
#200-357 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Information: 604-685-5548, extension 13
llcsvancouver@gmail.com