Your Times Colonist Christmas Fund continues to grow, raising money to help the less fortunate have a better holiday season.
The fund total stands at $427,300, 61 per cent of the way to our goal of $700,000 by Christmas Day.
Looking for a donation to match? We have plenty to choose from.
Glen Lynch, of Baggins Shoes at 580 Johnson St., says he will donate $500, and will donate a second $500, if three other retailers or property owners in the 500 block of Johnson match his $500 gift.
Robinson’s Outdoor Store on Broad Street, owned by Gayle Robinson and her daughter Erin in partnership with Matt King, will donate $750 if three other Victoria businesses give that or more.
Mike Hartshorne of the South Island Home Team - Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty was first off the mark, matching and beating the Robinson challenge with a $1,000 donation. Two donations to go.
Sharon Warde donated $100 and challenged Greater Victoria real estate agents to also donate.
Clarke Engineering and Welding Ltd., on Burns Avenue, is donating $500 and is challenging other businesses to match. So far, one other business, Pegasus Recovery Solutions Ltd., has stepped forward.
These matches do not have to be from businesses. Jennifer Waelti-Walters, who donated $100 in November, says she will donate again this month if 10 other people who donated in November donate in December as well.
Donations to not have to be in cash. The three Bottle Depot locations in Victoria and Saanich, on Queens Avenue, Quadra Street and Glanford Avenue, will donate the value of the cans and bottles placed in the dedicated charity bins to the Christmas Fund and to CFAX Santas Anonymous.
No matter how you donate, rest assured that your money is already being put to work, helping those in need.
In this pandemic year, the need is greater than in any of our previous campaigns, so we are making an extra effort to provide help to those who need it.
Thanks for giving. Thanks for sharing.
The best way to donate directly is to go to timescolonist.com/donate. That will take you to the Canada Helps website, which is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
Or mail a cheque, payable to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund Society, to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, 201-655 Tyee Road, Victoria V9A 6X5.
Or use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Outside those hours, messages will be accepted.
Dave Obee
Editor and Publisher
