PRESS RELEASE
December 7, 2019
This year, the Lotus Light Charity Society (LLCS) is celebrating its 26th-anniversary of serving vulnerable members of the local community.
On Saturday, December 7, 2019, at 12:30 p.m., the LLCS presented local community-service organizations with over 60,000 donated items, including brand new blankets, sleeping bags, winter garments, and non-perishable food items. The recipients of the 2019 Winter Charity Drive items include the Vancouver Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Program, the BC Ambulance Service, the City of Vancouver Emergency Shelter Program, and local inner-city schools and low-income family assistance groups.
Attending VIP guests included MP Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East), Vancouver City Councillor Michael Wiebe, City Councillors Sara Kirby-Yung and Pete Fry, Christine Kinyanjui, Community Engagement Manager for the Burnaby Canadian Red Cross office, and Deputy Director-General for the Vancouver Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Ms. Suzie Chen.
After the presentation, the LLCS distributed the blankets, winter care packages, and free food/beverages to the street homeless in front of the LLCS building on 347 E. Hastings Street. Over $800,000 worth of items were donated to local community members, helping thousands of low-income families, seniors, children, and the homeless.
MP Jenny Kwan thanked the LLCS and partner community service organizations for their contributions. “The work you do for the community matters so much when we do it together. Individually, we may be smaller, but when we do it together, we are mightier; this is what community is all about.”
Premier John Horgan sent his greetings to the LLCS to thank us for the contributions we made through the Winter Charity Drive. “I want to thank all of the donors and outreach workers who have demonstrated their generosity and dedication through this and other front-line initiatives, while our government tackles the systematic problems facing people who are homeless.”
When extreme weather hit Vancouver at the end of November, LLCS volunteers urgently delivered 1000+ lbs of warm clothing, winter footwear, and ready-to-eat meals to the DTES Women’s Emergency Shelter and the New Fountain Shelter.
Master Lian Tzi, president of the LLCS, stated that “the greatest thing we can do is to help someone in need. Let’s work together to bring warmth and hope to help the homeless survive the cold this winter.”
Lotus Light’s Annual Winter Charity Drive Program relies on financial and in-kind donations from individuals, local businesses, and corporate donors. The Winter Charity Drive 2019-20 campaign will continue its annual distribution of 100+ sleeping bags, blankets, and emergency care packages in partnership with local police and ambulance first responders, local shelters, and family service agencies throughout the Lower Mainland.
We sincerely appreciate the sponsorship support from Ocean Brands, Superstore Grandview Hwy, Superstore King George Surrey, Sahota’s No Frills, Walmart Burnaby Metrotown, Hyatt Regency Downtown Vancouver, Starbucks City Square, Starbucks Hastings & Kaslo, Starbucks International Village, Starbucks Terminal Ave, Terra Breads, Discovery Organics, Canadian Red Cross Society Burnaby, Save-On-Foods Cambie St, Save-On-Foods Main St, St. Germain Bakery, New Town Bakery & Restaurant, Ba-Le Deli & Bakery, Hai Phong Vietnamese Restaurant, Freshslice Abbott St, Direct Liquidation, Angus T Bakery & Cafe, Siegel’s Bagels and more proud sponsors!
We also extend our thanks to our elected officials, community partner organizations, and our volunteers for their timeless contributions.
If you would like to make a donation, please make the cheque payable to the “Lotus Light Charity Society” and mail it to the following address: Lotus Light Charity Society, #200 357 E.Hastings St, Vancouver BC V6A 1P3. You can also donate online by Visa or Mastercard on our website: http://vllcs.org/en/donation/. Tax receipts are available for donations of $20 or more.
If you would like more information, please email us at llcsvancouver@gmail.com or call us at 604-685-5548. The Vancouver LLCS is a non-profit organization registered with the Government of Canada. Our registration number is BN14110-4893-RR0001.
