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Greater Victoria businesses answer ‘elf’ call with donations

When a local firm invited small businesses around town to “be an elf” on behalf of the Salvation Army, the uptake was incredible, says Peter Pfann, of InFocus Services.
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Salvation Army members were at InFocus Services to more than 140 bags filled with non-perishable food, clothing, toys and gift cards. The bags were donated by small businesses in Greater Victoria that were asked Will You Be An Elf and given an empty bag.

When a local firm invited small businesses around town to “be an elf” on behalf of the Salvation Army, the uptake was incredible, says Peter Pfann, of InFocus Services.

On Friday, the Sally Ann picked up more than 140 bags of goods at the company’s Kings Road office, almost all of them containing new items: gift cards, toys, non-perishable food items, hygiene products, socks and mittens.

The collection is fantastic, said Pat Humble, community ministries director for the Salvation Army’s Stan Hagen Centre, saying it’s one of the largest donations received this season and comes at a time when donations to the Christmas kettles are down.

“It’s been a totally heartwarming experience,” said Pfann, human resources manager for the 25-person firm that helps people with disabilities find work and other services. “We are very humbled and grateful for the generous support we have received from so many organizations and individuals in this spontaneous effort by our staff to reach out to the community.”

Two InFocus vocational placement specialists dropped off empty bags at businesses known to the company. A week later, Deborah Heighway and Rachael Schilling collected full bags from almost all of them.

This year, the need is great, Humble said. “And when the need increases, we also see the donations decrease.”

Humble hopes this weekend’s shoppers will “grab some cash and drop it in the [Salvation Army] kettle” — so many people shop without cash, meaning they don’t have any money with them to donate to the kettles even when they want to.

This year, the Salvation Army and the Mustard Seed have joined forces with the Times Colonist Christmas Fund to distribute donations.

Last year’s effort raised $260,805, part of the $7 million raised by readers and supporters in the past three decades.

kdedyna@timescolonist.com

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Go to timescolonist.com/christmas-fund. The link on the page takes you to a site that’s open 24 hours a day for donations and provides an immediate tax receipt.

Or mail a cheque to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, 2621 Douglas St., Victoria, B.C. V8T 4M2.

You can also use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 during office hours, Monday through Friday.