Partnering with The Rolling Thunder Van Club in 2020, Roll for Warmth has expanded into a thoughtful convoy of volunteers, bringing compassion and necessities to Vancouver’s streets in a time where they’re needed most. This year, Way will be spearheading two fundraiser events alongside the annual campaign: Ballads for Blankets and A Country Christmas. In conversation with RANGE, Way reflects on the journey of Roll for Warmth, its impact, and the power of music and community in driving change.

Can you talk about how the Roll for Warmth initiative has grown since its conception?

The growth of Roll for Warmth has been really beautiful to see over the years in myself, the community and our capabilities. Living in East Vancouver, you’d have to be blind, deaf, and heartless to not be affected by or notice the ever-expanding housing crisis and opioid epidemic that plague the community. Through my long-standing passion and work as a vintage picker, I had access to clothing priced by the pound. I began to notice that warm coats, blankets, sleeping bags, socks, and toques were being underutilized or even thrown out. It seemed blatantly obvious to me that I could use this access to help those who don’t have the ability or opportunity to change their circumstances. At least I could help them stay dry and warm, while showing some human compassion and love—something that’s often needed more than the clothing itself. 

In the first few years, I struggled to convince people to come out on the actual day of handouts due to timing or other reasons. With the formation of the The Rolling Thunder Van Club during the pandemic, we now have an established group of dedicated volunteers who take pride and ownership of all aspects of the charity each year. 

How has the involvement of The Rolling Thunder Van Club impacted the success and growth of Roll for Warmth? 

During the pandemic, because we couldn’t hang out in our usual haunts and bars, some friends and I—who all loved 1970s boogie vans and old van culture—decided to meet up at Spanish Banks every Thursday, dubbing it “Thunder Thursdays.” We quickly established ourselves as The Rolling Thunder Van Club, and we began hosting club events, show-and-shines, campouts, and road trips. It’s pretty standard for old motorcycle or car clubs to organize toy drives or poker runs for charity, so it felt natural for us to bring Roll for Warmth into the fold.

Now, it’s a sight to behold! Anywhere from four to eight old-school vans drive through the Eastside in a convoy, parking at the old Pat’s Pub parking lot, and opening up their doors to distribute supplies. Each van takes on a category—one van for blankets, another for coats, one for women’s items, and another for socks! It’s so much better to have the organization and camaraderie now, compared to when I did it on my own. Back then, it was chaotic and messy—but still incredibly rewarding.

Ballads for Blankets and A Country Christmas are a big part of this year’s campaign. What can people expect from these events?

My band, The Band of Beauties and I, recently played a festival in Cumberland called Woodstove, where we did an all-ballads set. It was a departure from our usual rowdy outlaw country, honky-tonk style… and I really enjoyed it. The Heatley, my home away from home and an important cultural hub where many good friends work, has always been supportive of community events like this, so it felt like the perfect venue for a stripped-down night of music.

My songs, as well as the opener, Ian Badger’s, have always touched on themes of loss, heartbreak, and the difficult, sometimes unfair side of life. They explore how a few wrong turns can lead someone to homelessness, lovelessness, and substance abuse.

A Country Christmas will be a joyous celebration of the ever-expanding East Vancouver country music scene. I hope that the spirit of love, gratitude, and the privilege we have to make music, drink, and celebrate with friends and community humbles people. It should inspire them to support those who don’t have the same opportunities or luxuries in life, just as it has often inspired me.

Elliot C Way

Can you elaborate on why the January/February timing for the convoy?

I usually do the fundraising event around Christmas when people are in the giving spirit, but I tend to wait until after the holidays—usually in January or February—to do the actual Roll for Warmth handout. After the holiday season, most charitable efforts dry up, and Vancouver is notorious for cold snaps and heavy snowfall in February. People are still in dire straits and need help, and because of Vancouver’s wet, cold winter, things like clothing, tents, tarps, and sleeping bags don’t last long on the street. A re-up of warm, dry goods is always greatly appreciated during that time of year.

As a co-founder of The North Country Collective, you’re also helping promote the Vancouver roots music community. How does your background in music influence your approach to Roll for Warmth, and do you see music as a powerful tool for social change?

Both The North Country Collective and Roll for Warmth are a product of my innate need to build community. It always takes a village, and it’s difficult to raise support for movements based on a single person. I think both initiatives help create exposure and build a sense of story around Roll for Warmth. Most musicians who come from humble beginnings understand how quickly things can turn, and how easily any of us could end up homeless. In a growing, expensive city like Vancouver, where it sometimes feels like the arts and venues are being overlooked, music provides an opportunity to give back. Through song and story, we can inspire, move, and touch people emotionally. But the most profound way to create change is to directly impact someone’s day—whether that’s by providing them with a warm coat or dry socks. That simple act of kindness is incredibly powerful.

Looking back on the 10 years since you started Roll for Warmth, what do you hope the lasting impact of this initiative will be on both the people you’re helping and the broader Vancouver community?

Over the last 10 years, Roll for Warmth has become the most important event I’m involved in. I tour a lot and play shows all over the country, and while music is fulfilling, Roll for Warmth is an incredibly rewarding and joyful experience. I hope we show people who feel forgotten that they are seen. I’d love to see it grow further—maybe opening it up to anyone with a classic car or truck who wants to be part of the roll. It would be amazing to see Roll for Warmth in other cities as well. There is a growing wealth gap and housing crisis that is destroying lives everywhere. By shining a light on the need for change, and organizing a grassroots operation of non-wealthy people helping others, we can show the world how simple acts of generosity and love can make a huge difference in a world that often feels broken.

Elliot C. Way and the Band of Beauties present Ballads For Blankets on Dec. 12 at the Heatley (696 E Hastings).

On Dec. 20 The North Country Collective and Heartache No. 2 will be presenting “A Country Christmas” at the Wise Hall.

For tickets and more info, visit northcountrycollective.ca