A group of retired Saskatchewan teachers has chosen the Times Colonist Christmas Fund as its charity of choice this holiday season.
The Victoria chapter of the Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan has given to the Christmas Fund in the past, along with other groups dedicated to helping others, said John Cook. The group donated $300 this year.
“It’s always a hard decision because there’s so many good causes,” he said, adding that the Christmas Fund was picked at the chapter’s December meeting.
Newspaper stories about people helped by the fund have had an effect on members, Cook said. “We read the articles in the Times Colonist and they really connect with a person.”
Cook said the Victoria branch of the teachers’ group has 63 members in 14 communities on southern Vancouver Island. “There’s over 10,000 retired Saskatchewan teachers with 37 chapters in Saskatchewan, but there are three chapters out here in B.C.”
The teachers’ group advocates for retirees and keeps up on pension issues, but volunteering and being active in local activities is also part of its mandate.
Cook said many of the teachers in the Victoria chapter are simply maintaining what they have done all their lives.
“A lot of the teachers were involved in their communities in Saskatchewan when they were active teachers and they still do that out here — belong to service clubs, churches, whatever.”
The Christmas Fund has been helping people since 1956, when it was known as the 500 Fund. The goal was to help 500 families.
It became the 1000 Fund in 1980 and was renamed the Christmas Fund in 2000. Last year, $260,805.76 was raised and about 3,000 people were helped.
How to donate
Go to timescolonist.com/christmasfund. 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, made out to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, to the Times Colonist at 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.
Make cheques payable to TC Christmas Fund.
