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November 11, 2010
Give the gift of warmth GVHBA gears up for 15th Coats for Kids initiative TRICIA LESLIE He noticed them on his way to work one cold winter morning, 15 years ago. Just regular kids, trudging their way to school, as usual ... but they weren’t dressed for the chilly weather. At first, Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association president and CEO Peter Simpson thought the youngsters were, perhaps, going for the ‘I’m too cool to wear a winter jacket’ attitude that youth often strive to exude. “It was a particularly cold day, and I thought either they’re not wearing (winter coats) or they don’t have any to wear,” Simpson says. “I figured it was best to err on the side of caution.” He got to work, talked to others involved in the GVHBA, and Coats for Kids was born. This year, the 15th annual Coats for Kids campaign kicks off on Nov. 15 and runs until Nov. 30. In addition to the GVHBA office, the public can drop off donations at 33 GVHBA member companies at 46 locations in 13 municipalities – including several Black Press community newspaper offices – throughout Metro Vancouver. “Last year the response to Coats for Kids was heartwarming as Lower Mainland residents donated more than 3,000 coats, scarves, gloves, blankets and new, unwrapped toys and gifts for distribution to children, teenagers and adults,” says GVHBA chairman Todd Senft. “I am delighted so many prominent members of our association are participating.” Both Senft and Simpson emphasize that any donation is good. New or gently used winter coats, scarves, gloves, toques, fleece or down vests, blankets, sweaters – any warm clothing is welcome, as well as unwrapped gifts and even monetary donations. All Coats for Kids donations go to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau, an organization with many initiatives that help provide a brighter Christmas to local families in need. Every year, thousands of coats are collected along with other donations, and Simpson says
Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association marketing co-ordinator Christine Reid, left, and GVHBA vice-president of marketing and education Wendy McNeil prepare for the 15th annual Coats for Kids campaign. Martin Knowles photo
COATS FOR KIDS
he is constantly amazed by the generosity from those who donate. He notes that in past years, some GVHBA members have even gone out and purchased brand-new coats to donate – one member brought in a box of new coats last year. And the public is just as generous, Simpson says. “The public has opened their hearts and
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their closets and have supported this in a huge way ... they’re the ones who make it happen,” he says. “There are a lot of people out there who struggle, and they do it very quietly and don’t ask for help. We want to make sure those people – and those people’s kids – are taken care of, and this way, it’s anonymous.” Visit www.gvhba.org for a full list of dropoff sites.
Home sales steady in Metro Van Local home sales have remained steady over the past four months, indicating stability in the local residential housing market, reports the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. “With the MLS (the industry’s listing service) sales-to-active-listing inventory ratio indicating a buyer’s market, properties appropriately priced are selling,” states a REBGV release. According to the MLS Housing Price Index, the benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver over the past 12 months has increased by 4.6 per cent to $579,349 in October 2010 from $553,702 in October 2009. Since June, residential home prices in Metro Vancouver have remained relatively unchanged, declining by 0.2 per cent. “We’ve seen a lot more consistency and less volatility in recent months when it comes to both number of sales and pricing, although it’s important to remember that conditions often vary between communities and neighbourhoods,” says REBGV president Jake Moldowan. Residential property sales totalled 2,337 in October, a 5.3 per cent increase compared to September. While sales in October 2010 were down compared to sales in October of 2009, last month’s sales represent a 71.3 per cent increase over the 1,364 residential sales in October of 2008. “As we enter the final two months of the year, buyer demand is in closer alignment with supply than we’ve seen for most of 2010,” Moldowan says. “Those buying today recognize that they still have a chance to enter the market with near-record low interest rates, while gradual reductions in inventory have eased downward pressure on prices.” The benchmark price for detached homes increased by 6.3 per cent from October 2009 to $796,883, says the REBGV.
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