Logo for Yaya & Boo's Cozy Blanket Winter Tour with stylized text in red and blue, featuring a banner with the tour name.

You donated over 600 blankets
(AND I donated about 300 books).

We did it! Thanks to you. I drove over 5000 km with the dogs, met up at bookstores and parks and trailheads, and braved the cold to bring people warmth. This journey was an experiment, and I learned a lot. I learned that people want to give. The communities are vibrant and alive with feet on the ground. I learned a lot and I can’t wait to share that with you.

For now, I just want to say this:

Thank you!

I’m driving across Canada with Yaya & Boo to collect blankets for shelters along the way. Come meet with us in your city for a walk, bring us a blanket, or just come say hi. Winters are cold, and not easy to navigate. Come help us make a little difference and spread a little warmth.

If you bring me a new or gently used blanket*, I’ll donate a book**. I’m driving across the country with a lot of books to spread warmth and because sometimes a simple act of kindness can bring us together.

These events are mostly centred around an outdoor dog walk, weather permitting. Due to unpredictable winter weather, keep an eye on my instagram for any possible last minute changes.

*see specific location information below if other items are preferred/required.
**25 books per location.

Books Donated

300

Blankets & Goods

610+

KMs Driven

5354

A black and white dog sitting on a bed with a mustard yellow blanket covering it, in a bedroom setting. Text overlay indicates an event in Gibsons, BC, on Friday, December 5th, including a dog walk at 3 PM, blanket drive at 4 PM, and location at Cliff Gilker Park parking lot.

Sunshine Coast

  • DOG WALK: Meet me and Yaya & Boo at 3PM (parking area) for a dog walk through the park, rain or shine.

    BLANKET DROP-OFF: I’ll be collecting blankets from 4:00PM-4:30PM in the parking area. Bring a new or like-new blanket (or an item listed in the section below) and I’ll donate a book!

  • Location: Cliff Kilker Park. Meet at main parking area.

  • Along with blankets, Arrowhead Clubhouse are always in need of the following: men's and women's clothing (not children's please), tents, tarps, sleeping bags.

    ➜ Donate to Arrowhead Clubhouse

A dog sitting on a bed wrapped in a gray blanket, with a white headboard behind. The bed has white sheets and pillows. Text on the image announces a book store meet and greet with Yaya and Boo on Saturday, December 6th, from 11AM to 1PM at Kinder Books in New West, BC, with a note to leave dogs at home.

NEW WEST (Vancouver)

A dog sitting on a bed with a blanket draped over its head. The bed has white bedding, and there are two nightstands with lamps and books on either side. The text overlay announces a community event in Calgary, AB, on Sunday, December 7th, including a dog walk, blanket drive, and donation benefiting The Mustard Seed.

  • Meet at 11:00 AM, and we’ll be there until 1:00 PM with a meet and greet with Yaya and Boo. Bring a new or like-new blanket (or an item listed in the section below) and I’ll donate a book!

  • Meet the dogs at our favourite New West bookstore. If you bring a blanket, I’ll give you a free book.

  • Blankets BC (est. 2005) is a non-profit organization that collects and distributes blankets, warm clothing, and other essentials to families in need and shelter programs.

    Blankets can be donated at Kinder Books from December 1st until December 6th.

    ➜ Donate to Blankets BC

    *Only blankets brought on December 6th to me (Andrew) can be traded for a free book.

CALGARY

  • DOG WALK: Meet me and Yaya & Boo at 1PM (parking area) for an afternoon dog walk.

    BLANKET DROP-OFF: I’ll be collecting blankets from 2:00PM-3:00PM in the parking area. Bring a new or like-new blanket (or an item listed in the section below) and I’ll donate a book!

  • Location: River Park Off Leash Dog Park

  • The Mustard Seed provides shelter, housing, employment, and wellness services for people experiencing poverty and homelessness.

    As well as blankets, they’ll accept items listed on their website.

    ➜ Donate to The Mustard Seed

  • Four Dogs Taproom has generously set up a collection bin open to donations until the event.

    Stop by their taproom for a drink at 1205 1 St SW, Calgary, AB.

A dog sitting on a bed covered with a yellow blanket, with text overlay providing event details for a dog walk and blanket drive in Edmonton, AB on December 8th.

Edmonton

  • DOG WALK: Meet me and Yaya & Boo at 4PM (parking area) for a sunset dog walk

    BLANKET DROP-OFF: I’ll be collecting blankets from 5:00PM-5:30PM in the parking area. Bring a new or like-new blanket (or an item listed in the section below) and I’ll donate a book!

  • Location: Terwillegar Park

  • The Mustard Seed provides shelter, housing, employment, and wellness services for people experiencing poverty and homelessness.

    As well as blankets, they’ll accept items listed on their website.

    ➜ Donate to The Mustard Seed

  • Golden Sparrow has generously offered to be a drop-off point for new or like new blankets on 124th St. Pop by with a donation and show them some love!

    Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am-2pm and 5-9pm

    10704 124th St., Edmonton, AB

A dog sitting on a white bed, wrapped in a red and black plaid blanket with its head under the hood, in a bedroom setting with two bedside lamps. Overlaid text indicates an event in Saskatoon, SK with details about dog walk, blanket drive, and location.

SASKATOON

  • DOG WALK: Meet me and Yaya & Boo at 4PM (parking area) for a sunset dog walk

    BLANKET DROP-OFF: I’ll be collecting blankets from 5:00PM-5:30PM in the parking area. Bring a new or like-new blanket (or an item listed in the section below) and I’ll donate a book!

  • Location: Off-Leash Recreation Area Sutherland. Meet at main parking area on Beef Research Rd. (lol)

  • Along with blankets, SIMFC are always in need of the following: socks and underwear, jackets, gloves, hand warmers and any adult sized boots/shoes.

    ➜ Donate to SIMFC

A black and white dog sitting on a bed wrapped in a colorful striped blanket, in a bedroom with white bedding and nightstands with lamps. Text overlay indicates a dog event in Regina, SK, on Wednesday, Dec 10th, including dog walk, blanket drive, location at Cathy Lauritsen Dog Park, benefiting Carmichael Outreach.

REGINA

  • 4:00-5:00PM: Find Yaya & Boo playing in the dog park!

    5:00-5:30PM: Meet us in the parking lot. Bring a new or like-new blanket (or an item listed in the section below) and I’ll donate a book!

  • Location: Cathy Lauritsen Memorial Off-Leash Dog Park

  • Carmichael Outreach is a registered charity and non-profit in Regina. We are committed to creating a low-barrier, judgment-free environment for individuals in our community who face the challenges of poverty, homelessness, and substance use,

    ➜ Donate to Carmichael Outreach

A black and white dog sitting on a bed with a beige blanket draped over its head, in a well-lit bedroom.

WINNIPEG

  • DOG WALK: Find me and Yaya & Boo between 4:00-5:00PM in the park!

    BLANKET DROP-OFF: I’ll be collecting blankets from 5:00PM-6:00PM at Little Brown Jug.

    Bring me a new or like-new blanket to either location and I’ll donate a book!

  • Location:
    4:00-4:45 Kilcona Multi-Use Park for a dog walk

    5:15-6:15 Little Brown Jug

    Bring your blanket to either location!

  • RaY is a non-profit street-level agency working with street-entrenched and homeless youth up to the age of 29.

    In addition to blankets, we will accept cold weather gear, anything for encampments, shoes, unused underwear, sweats, socks, hygienne items. Need mens clothing.

    ➜ Donate to RAY

Dog sitting on a bed covered with a colorful striped blanket, in a bedroom with white bedding and two bedside lamps. Text overlay mentions an event in Kenora, ON on Saturday, Dec 13th, with details of a dog walk, blanket drive, and location at Tunnel Island Trail benefitting Women's Place.

KENORA

A black and white dog sitting on a bed covered with a beige blanket, with books on a nightstand beside it. The image promotes a dog adoption event in Thunder Bay, Ontario, on December 14th, with details about dog walk, blanket drive, and location.

  • DOG WALK: Meet me and Yaya & Boo at 12PM (parking area) for an afternoon dog walk.

    BLANKET DROP-OFF: I’ll be collecting blankets from 1:00PM-1:30PM in the parking area. Bring me a new or like-new blanket and I’ll donate a book!

  • Location: Tunnel Island (Waa’say’Gaa’Boo) Trail

  • Women’s Place is a women's resource centre owned and operated by a woman-centred collective that works to create equality and justice for women.

    In addition to blankets, we will accept towels, bedding, household items/appliances.

    ➜ Donate to Women’s Place

THunder Bay

  • DOG WALK: Meet me and Yaya & Boo at 12PM (parking area) for an afternoon dog walk.

    BLANKET DROP-OFF: I’ll be collecting blankets from 1:00PM-1:30PM in the parking area. Bring me a new or like-new blanket and I’ll donate a book!

  • Hillyard Lands Off-leash Dog Park (off 8th Avenue).

  • Shelter House is Thunder Bay's only low‑barrier shelter. We offer basic needs, dignity, and a safer place to land for people living in poverty — no matter the situation.

    *NEW BLANKETS ONLY PLEASE*

    Shelter House is also accepting socks, underwear (mid 20s- mid 40s, mostly slim build), personal hygiene products.

    ➜ Donate to Shelter House

Dog sitting on a bed covered with a mustard-yellow blanket, with a white and black coat, in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, event details include dog walk at 4PM and blanket drive at 5PM at Strathclair Dog Park.

Sault Ste Marie

  • DOG WALK: Find me and Yaya & Boo between 4:00-5:00PM in the park!

    BLANKET DROP-OFF: I’ll be collecting blankets from 5:00PM-6:00PM in the parking area. Bring me a new or like-new blanket and I’ll donate a book!

  • Location: Strathclair Dog Park

  • Pauline’s Place’s mission is to provide access to safe, affordable housing for male youth ages 16-17, female youth ages 16-21, women, and families who are experiencing crisis and find themselves homeless.

    In addition to blankets: small household items, pillows, kitchen items, non-perishable foods, feminine hygiene items.

    ➜ Donate to Pauline’s Place

Image of a black and white dog sitting on a bed, covered with a gray blanket over its head. Text indicates an event in Sudbury, ON on Wednesday, Dec 17th with activities including a dog walk, blanket drive, at Lake Laurentian Conservation Area, supporting a charity.

Sudbury

A black and white dog wrapped in a multicolored striped blanket sitting on a white bed with text overlay about a dog event in Toronto on December 20th, including details about a dog walk at 11AM, blanket drive from 12 to 1PM at a parking lot, and supporting blankets to a specified location.

  • DOG WALK: Meet me and Yaya & Boo at 4PM (parking area) for a sunset dog walk. I’ve been asked that dogs stay on leash at this location!

    BLANKET DROP-OFF: I’ll be collecting blankets from 5:00PM-6:00PM in the parking area. Bring me a new or like-new blanket and I’ll donate a book!

  • Location: Lake Laurentian Conversation Area at 2309 S Bay Rd, Sudbury, ON

    Hosted by Lake Laurentian Conversation Area

  • Better Beginnings Better Futures is a prevention program for high-risk communities. The Sudbury Better Beginnings Better Futures' holistic model provides child-centered activities and community development in the Flour Mill / Donovan neighbourhood

    In addition to blankets, we will accept childrens clothing, mens clothing, blankets, blenders, all boots.

    ➜ Donate to Better Beginnings

Toronto

  • DOG WALK: Meet me and Yaya & Boo at 11AM (Noon) (meet on Spring Rd nearest the Parkside High Park entrance) for a dog walk.

    BLANKET DROP-OFF: I’ll be collecting blankets from 12:00PM-12:30PM (Wherever I find parking, keep an eye on my Instagram for exact location. It will be as close to the Parkside High Park entrance as I can park)

    Bring me a new or like-new blanket and I’ll donate a book!

  • Location: High Park (near Parkside entrance)

  • Blankets TO is an organization addressing homelessness through advocacy, engagement and action across Ontario.

    As well as blankets, Blankets TO is looking for bedding (blankets, comforters, duvets, etc.), clothing (gloves, socks, hats, etc.), backpacks and bags, food, and hygiene products (toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, hand sanitizer).

    Find out more about Blankets TO and how to make monetary donations here.

Two black and white dogs lying on a white blanket with a red and black plaid blanket draped over their heads.

Ottawa

  • DOG WALK: Meet me and Yaya & Boo at 1PM (parking area) for a morning dog walk.

    BLANKET & DONATION DROP-OFF: I’ll be collecting blankets from 2:00PM-2:30PM in the parking area.

    Bring me a new or like-new blanket and I’ll donate a book!

  • Location: Brewer Park (South Parking Lot)

  • I’m going off script! I wanted to support humans and animals on this tour but logistics got in the way. So in Ottawa, we’ll be supporting animals.

    Ottawa Humane Society has been working in and with their community to help Ottawa's animals since 1888.

    If you can’t make it but still want to support, let’s help them fulfill their Amazon Wishlist.

    ➜ Ottawa Humane Society Wish List