Readers sometimes complain that newspapers never report on the good news. It's nice to be able to refute that contention whenever we can, especially when the news is as good as it is today.
Thanks to your generosity, the Times Colonist Christmas Fund has been able to help 3,225 residents of the capital region to have a happier Christmas this year.
Employees of the TC and their families delivered that happiness, in the form of $225,250 worth of grocery vouchers and gift certificates, starting last Saturday.
That means we were the ones who got the tearful thanks and grateful hugs from those on the receiving end of the packages. But it's other people who really deserve the credit.
People like 17-year-old Qristina Bachand and her 11-year-old brother, Quinn, who have been playing music in the malls and on the streets for the last six years to raise money for the Christmas Fund.
People like Eugene Dowling, whose Tuba Christmas has been contributing sweet brass sounds and good vibes to the Christmas Fund for the last 29 years.
People like the Santa skippers at Harbour Ferries, who donate their time and naval skills to give fundraising tours of the Inner Harbour every year.
People like Scott Tanner and his employees at Merry Maids, who gave up their Christmas party so that others could enjoy a brighter holiday.
There are so many other generous spirits. The Peninsula Singers raised thousands of dollars in three concerts in Sidney. The staff at Vista 18 served a delicious -- and lucrative -- pancake breakfast. And hundreds of individuals made personal donations to boost our total to more than $200,000.
This marks the 51st year that the Times Colonist, working with the Christmas Bureau, has been able to serve as a conduit between those who want to help and those in need.
We're still accepting donations until noon on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.
Thank you all. And Merry Christmas.
lchodan@tc.canwest.com
