Longtime roofing-company owner Wayne Massey donated $5,000 to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund this year in what has become a tradition that’s now in its 14th year.
Over those years, the owner of Advanced Products Roofing, who has now retired and shut down his company after 35 years, has contributed a total of $70,000 to the fund.
He had given smaller sums many times before deciding on the $5,000 annual gift since his company was doing well. Advanced Products Roofing was involved in several large projects over the years, including Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
Massey says he will keep giving the annual amount as long as possible, and he issued a challenge to other roofing companies to match his contribution.
Massey said that even though his family — including four siblings — didn’t have a lot of money growing up in Ottawa, his parents both worked a couple of jobs and made sure the children were taken care of and received gifts at Christmas and on their birthdays.
“Everybody needs a boost up at Christmas,” he said. “I just thought it would be a good thing to do.
“Even if it wasn’t for COVID, people would still need help.”
The Christmas Fund has been helping those in need since 1956. It was initially known as the 500 Fund because the goal was to bring in donations for 500 of the most needy families in the region.
It became the 1000 Fund in 1980 and the Christmas Fund in 2000.
jwbell@timescolonist.com
HOW TO DONATE
To give to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, 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 ChristmasFund, 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.
