Items left behind at a fitness club in Maple Ridge and never retrieved have found a new home on the streets of Maple Ridge.
This past week volunteers with Stop Overdose Ridge Meadows (STORM) distributed water bottles and articles of clothing that were left in the lost and found at Club 16 Trevor Linden Fitness Club.
There were more than 20 water bottles, a few sweaters, toques, and jackets.
STORM volunteer Shannon DiPetrantonio connected the group with the fitness club, explained Jerrica Hackett, STORM project coordinator, and they distributed them while on outreach.
DiPetrantonio washed and cleaned every item before they were handed out and even filled the bottles with water.
The group maintains weekly outreach efforts to people living on the streets, offering food, harm reduction supplies, and support – connecting people to resources and services offered within the community.
"Along the way we engage in chats about housing, treatment, substance use goals, and more. We're proud of meeting people where they're at and always ready to guide them towards the incredible resources we have in this community should they want to change any of their circumstances," said the group online.
The food portion of their outreach efforts has been sustained because of a donation made by the Kiwanis Club last year, explained Hackett.
Every year STORM hosts a Black Balloon Day walk on March 6, a show and shine to raise money for men’s mental health during the summer, they mark International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31, with a free event in Memorial Peace Park, and they also host a TED talk inspired event called Speaking Through the Storm in late fall.
"We also attend other community events throughout the year and would be happy to train businesses or get involved with organizations for Naloxone training, peer support, etc.," said Hackett..
Anyone interested in getting involved with the organization can contact me Hackett at: jerrica.coordinator@gmail.com.
Soon STORM will be holding a strategic planning session, which will determine what their year will look like in 2025.
