After a remarkable Sunday, the Times Colonist Christmas Fund is at $157,000, well on our way to our 2020 target of $700,000.
Our readers responded to two match challenges from Andrew Beckerman. Both times he offered to donate $500 if four other people donated that amount or more, and both times his challenge was answered in a couple of hours.
These were his third and fourth challenges this year, and his effort will make Christmas better for the less fortunate in our community.
Last week, the Victoria Foundation issued our largest challenge ever. The foundation will donate $10,000 if the same amount (or more) comes from someone else in the community. We’ve heard rumours that the challenge will be met early this week, which will mean a $20,000 boost for the fund.
The Victoria Foundation, Andrew Beckerman, and more than 700 other donors have put their money down to help those less fortunate.
Giving to those who must do without reflects the true spirit of Christmas.
The Times Colonist Christmas Fund was launched in 1956, and this year’s fundraising is more important than ever before. The need has never been as great as it is in this pandemic year.
We have already given money to the Salvation Army and the Mustard Seed Street Church, and both organizations have put that money to work in the community.
The more we raise this year, the more organizations we will be able to help.
The easiest way to give 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, B.C. 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.
Thank you.
Dave Obee
Editor and Publisher
