News

Abbotsford, BC. December 17, 2021. In February 2022, Diverse Properties will be starting to demo the well-known Abbotsford News building in preparation for redevelopment.

In this season of giving, Diverse has partnered with the Abbotsford Mission Salvation Army Centre of Hope – to donate money raised from the buildings salvaged materials, some of its show home furniture and other useful household items.

Diverse has collected furniture and many useful household items from staging various Show Homes over the years which are currently stored in the building that will all be donated. In an interesting historical twist, the building also contains the original Abbotsford News ink tank, that has a salvage value of hundreds of dollars that will also be donated to the Salvation Army.

Diverse Partner and Vice President of Development P.L. Meindertsma shares: “It seemed to make sense to donate these valuable resources to the Salvation Army, who is not only located within proximity to this site but is also aligned with our vision to bring renewal and positive change to this area of Abbotsford.”

Rob Studiman, Community Ministries Director for The Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope shares, “We are very honoured to partner with Diverse Properties during this giving season. With the ongoing COVID challenges and the added devastation from the recent floods and landslides, we are experiencing an increased demand upon our services. This generous donation will allow us to continue to provide comfort and hope to those greatly impacted as well as the most vulnerable in our community at Christmas and moving forward into 2022.”

The exciting development plans for this site will bring vibrancy and sophistication to Abbotsford housing.

Diverse Properties is an integrated group of real estate development construction and financing companies based in Abbotsford BC. We design innovative homes, transform neighbourhoods, and create communities that support family life. We are passionate about building something great, and it’s all possible because we care about our customers, the communities we develop in, and the great people who make up the Diverse team.

CONTACT: Greg Lowe, VP of Sales & Marketing
COMPANY: Diverse Properties Ltd
PHONE: 604.786,7566
EMAIL: Greg.Lowe@diverseproperties.com
WEB: diverseproperties.com

The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign in Abbotsford/Mission has raised more than $152,000 during the three-week campaign, just shy of their $165,000 goal.

The funds come at a critical time as the organization is experiencing an increase in demand for programs and services during these difficult times. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, The Salvation Army has seen an increase in the number of individuals and families requesting services in the community.

“This year has been tough for a lot of people,” says spokesperson Rob Studiman, Community Ministries Director. “Because of almost two years of living in a pandemic, a lot of people are still struggling. We are seeing a greater need and we rely on the public to help us meet the demand.”

“The people in Abbotsford and Mission have been incredibly generous this holiday season,” comments Majors Ruth & Ian Gillingham. “Every year we ask them to help their community and every year they step up to meet the demand and we can’t thank them enough.”

Every dollar raised through the Red Kettle campaign will stay in Abbotsford and Mission and will be used to fund vital programs and services. The Salvation Army works to provide the necessities: food, clothing, and shelter, while offering life-changing programs, such as Pathway of Hope, Supportive Independent Living, 12 Step as well as volunteer and part-time work opportunities that help people find a way out of poverty, permanently.

“Despite having to shorten this year’s Christmas Red Kettle Campaign due to the devastating flood, we came very close to reaching our fundraising goal. The last few weeks of 2021 brought unimaginable loss to many in our community. The community’s response to support one another was amazing! We are incredibly grateful to all those who contributed time and finances to support our fundraising effort. Thank you to all the merchants, kettle hosts and donors for making this possible. Your kindness and generosity enable us to continue to serve those in need locally”, shares Carolyn Pollard, Kettle Coordinator.

With money still being counted, the organization is hoping to meet its provincial target of $5 million. Nationally the organization is hoping to achieve its goal of $21 million.
Along with individual donors The Salvation Army is thankful for the ongoing generosity of numerous corporate partners, including Walmart, Costco, BC Liquor Stores, Canadian Tire, Save-on-Foods, Sobeys, Great Canadian Superstore, and many more, who give and generously allow Christmas Kettles to be placed at their stores.

Abbotsford, BC, November 13th, 2020 – The Salvation Army –Abbotsford will officially launch its 2020 Christmas Kettle Campaign on Monday, November 23rd, its largest public fundraising drive of the year. The Salvation Army provides practical assistance in 400 communities across the country to vulnerable individuals at Christmastime and throughout the year. As the coronavirus continues to impact lives, it is expected that the need for support will continue to grow in the coming months.

“Folks will notice some changes this year, fewer kettle locations, 13 in Abbotsford and 5 in Mission, hosted by wonderful volunteers and paid workers, comments Kim Hissink, Fundraising Coordinator, “we are equipping everyone with PPE and adhering to local and provincial guidelines for social distancing.” “The traditional kettle kick-off event that is hosted by The Abbotsford Pilots will not take place this year, but we are getting creative and will be producing a short kick-off video that will be uploaded for everyone to enjoy”, continues Hissink. “The Angel Tree will once again be in Sevenoaks Shopping Centre from November 30th to December 14th – allowing the community to choose tags and shop for the wish list of local children.”

With a national $23 million fundraising goal, and a goal for Abbotsford/Mission of $150,000, the Christmas Kettle Campaign enables local Salvation Army units to provide practical assistance to thousands of individuals and families who have met with hard times. This year due to the coronavirus, more and more people are facing new financial challenges and frightening realities.

Locally, the “R” family knows firsthand how The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign supports vulnerable families. “With gratitude and a brimming heart, our family would like to express how impactful The Salvation Army Centre of Hope has been in our lives during the Christmas season, and throughout the year. We are a hardworking family, with a very modest income, and we often times find ourselves with very little come Christmas time.” Last year the family registered for the Angel Tree Program and received gifts for their children they would not have been able to provide. There were presents under the tree from Santa for the children and they experienced a magical Christmas.
Last year, across the country The Salvation Army helped more than 1.9 million people, providing 3.3 million free meals, assisting 233,000 with Christmas food hampers and toys, and over 1.3 million with food, clothing or practical help.
The demand for food and practical assistance is increasing. The Salvation Army in Abbotsford has provided over 1,800 hampers to date, a 50% increase over 2019 by partnering with the Abbotsford School District over the summer months and providing daily hampers for families and individuals from the Emergency Pantry at The Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope on Gladys Avenue.

“The Salvation Army has been serving the community of Abbotsford for over 35 years” say Captains Ruth & Ian Gillingham. “This year is unlike any other as we have worked alongside our community partners to care for and meet the needs of so many. At this time of year, which is normally a time of fun, festivity, and family celebration we are facing uncertainty, isolation, and other unnamed challenges. This Christmas season, The Salvation Army will continue to be mobilized to share hope wherever there is hardship due to the generosity of our donors and volunteers.”
The campaign would not be possible without the support of numerous local corporate partners, including BC Liquor Stores, Canadian Tire, Costco, HighStreet Shopping Centre, London Drugs, Save-on-Foods, Sevenoaks Shopping Centre, Superstore and Walmart.

Beyond donating to The Salvation Army’s physical Christmas kettles, FilltheKettle.com, a Salvation Army mobile site, will enable donors to give through their mobile devices or computers. Users of FilltheKettle.com can also host their own online kettle and encourage their friends, family, neighbours and co-workers to donate to The Salvation Army.
Donations to the 2020 Christmas Campaign can also be made in person or via mail to The Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope – 34081 Gladys Avenue, Abbotsford, BC V2S 2E8 or by calling 604.852.9305 Ext. 138.

Download the PDF version of this news item