It’s Giving Tuesday, when we are urged to turn our hearts and wallets to charity.
To be fair, however, on Vancouver Island giving isn’t a one-day thing. Helping others is in our DNA.
For example: The annual Times Colonist Christmas Fund campaign hit $164,713 on Monday, thanks to the generosity of our readers over the past couple of weeks.
We set a lofty target of $1 million this year, recognizing the impact of high food costs on the less fortunate in our community. That $1 million will be put to work in our community not just in December but in the cold months ahead.
Most of the money will go to food, but your donations also go to Christmas gifts for children and others who could use some light in their lives.
A list of donors to date will appear in the Wednesday Times Colonist — although, again, I don’t believe it’s the thrill of getting their names in print that nudges our readers into donating money to help their neighbours. The list is just a roll call, a way of standing up and being counted.
No, we give because we care, because we want to help those less fortunate than ourselves, and because we can.
We don’t all have the same capacity to give; some have more money than others. We all have causes that resonate particularly strongly, too; there’s no shortage of need in the world, places where some people could use a hand from those who have more.
At times, we need to think global.
This year, I was joined by friends, relatives and a half-dozen Times Colonist readers in sending almost $20,000 to Ukraine, where the money has been spent on everything from batteries and flashlights to equipment for the main hospital in Zhytomyr, the closest city to the village where my mother was born.
Now, it’s time to think local — and especially about our friends and neighbours who need a boost.
That’s why you will see my name on the list of Christmas Fund donors in the Wednesday edition. This isn’t a look-at-me thing, but a matter of stepping up. I strongly believe in the work of our Christmas Fund, which is an effective way to make life a bit easier for the less fortunate.
It’s easy to find ways to donate money at this time of year; everywhere you turn, it seems, you will find people asking for your help. So how do you decide which organization deserves your support?
First, choose which ones match your own priorities. Give to the causes that make the most sense to you.
Then find out how many cents of your donated dollar will make it through to the people in need, or the project, or whatever the money is supposed to support. (If you are keen about this, the federal government’s website has detailed financial information for all registered charities.)
Most registered charities work hard to be as efficient with your money as possible.
Last year, only about three per cent of donations to the TC Christmas Fund went to administration costs, primarily credit card fees and bookkeeping services.
The Times Colonist absorbs all the “soft” costs, such as clerical services and office space – and of course, the fund gets publicity at no cost. That means that 97 cents of every dollar donated are put to work in the community.
Whichever charity (or charities) you choose, the important thing is to help others, if you can. Today, Giving Tuesday, or any other day of the year.
Every bit helps. Everyone benefits when we help each other.
Dave Obee is the Times Colonist’s editor and publisher.
How to donate to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund
• Donate online. Go to timescolonist.com/donate, which will take you to our Canada Helps page. It is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
• Donate by mail. Send a cheque to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, 201-655 Tyee Road, Victoria, B.C. V9A 6X5.
• Donate by phone. Use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
