Urban Body Laser held its second annual Coats for Kids charity event, benefiting The Salvation Army and Beauty Night, a Vancouver-based organization that empowers women and children living in poverty, on Thursday.
The organizers are holding the event annually after the first event last year had a big turnout.
"Last year was great -- it was a huge success. We had to do two truck loads. This tree was buried, almost half way up, all the way around. It was awesome," clinic co-owner Janiece Wiens said, pointing to the beautifully decorated tree. Wiens said they were bringing a special guest, HGTV host and former Bachelorette Jillian Harris, who was, as we spoke, filming W Network's Love It Or List It Vancouver.
Jillian Harris; Photo courtesy of Jillian Harris Facebook page
So, what's a coat worth? A lot, when you're an underprivileged, living, breathing human being on this planet and it's freezing cold on Christmas.
That's the kind of thinking that brought a community together, one brisk December night. People collected coats, toys and non-perishable food items to support the causes on 777 Hornby Street, with their minimum $20 donations. Urban Body Laser gifted every donor with $150 worth of treatments. Local businesses pitched in, donating a variety of prizes, including diamond earrings and a trip to Las Vegas.
Photo by Anja Konjicanin
They might not have the long, plush white beard and that sweet 'Ho, Ho, Ho' laugh, but the community's got Santa's heart. Warm feelings, all around.