Thanks, and thanks again, to everyone who has donated to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund. You will make the season brighter for others in our community.
Donations in the past week have totalled $68,023. We are well on the way to reaching our goal of $1 million.
Andrew Beckerman helped to get things rolling with a $5,000 challenge. That led to three more $5,000 donations.
It’s great to see local businesses getting on board — local businesses such as Andrew Sheret Ltd., which has been a vital part of our community since 1892.
“As a longstanding, local business in Victoria, we feel it is important to give back to the community that has supported us,” says Julie Findlay of Andrew Sheret. “By supporting those in need and other efforts in the community, we believe that it makes for a stronger, more viable city.
“With a donation to the TC Christmas Fund, we are hoping to assist local families that may be facing food insecurity.”
With that in mind, Findlay is donating $20,000, and is calling on other local businesses to give what they can.
The money will be put to work as soon as possible, providing food for the hungry, toys for children, and comfort for all. The money raised by the Times Colonist Christmas Fund will be put to work throughout Vancouver Island the Gulf Islands.
Once again this year, we will pick up the tab for the Christmas dinner that the Mustard Seed Street Church is organizing at the Bay Street Armoury.
Food security is a major focus of this year’s fund drive. Inflation and the high cost of housing are making life much more difficult for many families and individuals.
The Hunger Count in March showed that food-bank use had risen sharply — and that one in three food-bank recipients are children.
We really don’t want to see children going hungry at time of the year, let alone in the Christmas season. We need to help — and helping is what Christmas is all about.
HOW TO DONATE
You can donate by going to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund fundraising page at canadahelps.org/en/dn/14772.
The site is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
Or mail a cheque to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, 201-655 Tyee Road, Victoria, B.C. V9A 6X5.
You can also use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
