Urban Barn Launches 5th Annual Blanket the Country in Warmth Campaign

Canadians are invited to help spread warm wishes to those in need this winter

TORONTO, Oct. 24, 2016 /CNW/ - Canadian furniture, home décor and accessories retailer, Urban Barn, invites customers to help give warmth to those in need with its 'Blanket the Country in Warmth' campaign, now in its fifth consecutive year. Beginning today, with every $5.00 in-store or online donation, a brand-new fleece blanket will be donated to a local shelter. New this year, customers will be encouraged to share emotional warmth by sending a personal message through BlanketTheCountry.com. These messages will be published in booklets and delivered to shelters with fleece blankets in time for the holiday season. In addition, Urban Barn has expanded the program to include shelters in Quebec, a reflection of their commitment to each community they serve. Blanket the Country in Warmth will run through Sunday, November 20, 2016. This season, Urban Barn hopes to donate 15,000 blankets with the support of its customers.

"Expanding the program to include personalized messages was important to us as 'Blanket the Country in Warmth' kicks off its fifth year," shares Linda Letts, President, Urban Barn. "We've been extremely grateful for the tremendous support from our local communities, surpassing our goal of 13,000 blankets last year, and wanted to continue to challenge ourselves to have meaningful impact. We wanted to create a direct connection between those donating blankets and those receiving them. That's where the idea for Warmer Wishes came from. We look forward to making an even bigger difference in the lives of Canadians this year, and thank our amazing customers who continue to support 'Blanket the Country in Warmth.'" 

In 2013, The Homelessness Partnering Secretariat (HPS) estimated that between 150,000 and 300,000 individuals experience homelessness in Canada in a given year. One may fall into impoverished circumstances for a number of reasons. Local shelters across the country continue to receive those in need each winter and throughout the year. It is through a network of committed staff and caring community partners coast-to-coast, these individuals can start down the path of recovery, with an overarching goal of warmth and belonging.

To learn more about 'Blanket the Country in Warmth' and to make a donation, please visit www.blanketthecountry.com.

To locate an Urban Barn store, please visit www.urbanbarn.com.

About Urban Barn
Canadian retailer Urban Barn offers well-appointed furniture, home décor and accessories. With over 50 retail locations across the country, the Vancouver-based company first opened its doors in 1990 and continues to pride itself on offering a successful combination of value, quality & great design. For further information, please visit www.urbanbarn.com.

SOURCE Urban Barn

Image with caption: "Urban Barn, Canadian furniture and home décor company, launches its Fifth Annual Blanket the Country in Warmth campaign. For every $5.00 donation, a brand new fleece blanket will be donated to a local shelter within an Urban Barn community. The initiative runs October 24 to November 20, 2016. (CNW Group/Urban Barn)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161024_C5735_PHOTO_EN_802040.jpg

or to request an interview with an Urban Barn spokesperson, please contact: Emily Kett, elevator communications inc., Tel: [phone] ext. 226, Email: [email protected]; Celine Harb, elevator communications inc., Tel: [phone] ext. 223, Email: [email protected]