Donate at timescolonist.com/donate
Another day, another match challenge, but we’ll get to that.
The Times Colonist Christmas Fund reached $287,500 on Thursday, 41 per cent of the way to our $700,000 target. Thanks to everyone who has donated; you are making a difference in this year of stress and suffering.
Match challenges are making a big difference this year, and we are seeing more almost every day. And here is another.
“Normally my family have a Secret Santa for Christmas, but my dad suggested we give our $50 for buying a gift to the fund instead,” Kristina Valentino wrote on Thursday.
“It was a unanimous agreement from us all as we have been fortunate to have jobs throughout the pandemic.
“So, we would like to do a match challenge with another family. We will donate $50 each for a total of $350 if another family will donate their Secret Santa money too — whatever the amount.”
OK, we’re in. Please indicate “Secret Santa” with your donation so we can keep track.
Thanks, Kristina!
Our biggest match challenge — $20,000, offered by Andrew Sheret Ltd. — is still outstanding. But that’s not a surprise, because it might take a day or two for another business owner to take a deep breath and write a cheque for that amount.
The way this campaign has gone, we can expect the $20,000 offer to be matched, putting $40,000 into the fund.
These challenges help to drive the fund numbers higher — and in turn, provide more help to more people who are less fortunate than many of us.
Case in point: The person known as “Cherry Point Fortunate One,” who donated $100 and offered to double that if 10 other people donated $100.
In the end, 42 people came through, and so did Fortunate One, fulfilling the promise to double their donation.
We are well on our way to our goal, $700,000. We have already given money to the Salvation Army and the Mustard Seed Street Church, and soon we will offer help to other organizations throughout our readership area.
To give, 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
dobee@timescolonist.com
