I’m donating to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund again today. It’s the right thing to do, and the timing is perfect.
I went for a walk as the snow fell on Wednesday evening. A car was parked where cars aren’t normally parked in weather like this; it’s a spot where people park when their vehicle is their only home. Surely, I thought, it has been too cold to spend a night in a car.
But there was someone in that vehicle, hunkering down under blankets for another night in the rough. Someone in need.
I’ve been writing for the past few weeks about our Christmas Fund, and how we try to help people who are less fortunate. These people can be found in every community on the Island, including my neighbourhood and probably yours as well.
The Christmas Fund makes it easy for you to make difference for the less fortunate. Our goal is to make life better for as many people as we can. We do that by providing toys, food, clothing and other support.
While the focus is to help others, it’s worth a reminder today that your donations will give you a tax credit. For most people, that credit will reduce the income tax you owe.
You need to make your donation today if you want a credit for 2021, because Dec. 31 is the deadline.
To donate, call us directly at 250-995-4438 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.
Or mail a cheque to Times Colonist Christmas Fund, 201-655 Tyee Road, Victoria, B.C. V9A 6X5. Make sure that the cheque is dated today, and goes into the mail today.
You could also go to our fundraising page at timescolonist.com/donate, which takes you to the Canada Helps website. You will get a tax receipt right away — but remember, the clock is ticking, so don’t delay.
The fund, which has received donations from 3,000 people this year, allows us to direct money to established service agencies throughout the Island, and increase what they can do.
Your donation will help people who might not fit in any of the usual ideas about the needy. Your donation might help your friends, your neighbours, your family. It’s hard to say.
Those in need are not always obvious, not like the woman sleeping in her car as the snow fell the other night. But they are all around us, and they need your help.
When we launched this campaign in November, I made a small donation through the online portal just be to be sure it worked. (Yes, it did.) Now it’s time for a proper donation, so I’m writing a cheque for $2,000.
Thanks, once again, for your support this year. Every dollar makes a difference.
Dave Obee is editor and publisher of the Times Colonist.
