And just like that, this year’s literacy fundraiser has reached $100,000. Thanks to everyone who has donated through dropping off books or by giving cash.
A very special thanks goes to the local family that is writing a cheque for $25,000, which takes us over the $100,000 mark. The family wishes to remain anonymous, but rest assured, their generosity will be felt throughout the region.
Generosity like that encourages us to keep going, to keep pushing for at least another week. We plan to wrap up this year’s campaign by Thanksgiving. We are still short of the $125,000 we raised last year, and we are hopeful we can come close, if not beat, that total this year. And next year, COVID willing, we can get back to our traditional fundraiser, a spring book drive and sale.
We know, for example, that a $1,000 match challenge is in the works. We know that some of our readers have been watching how we’re doing, and they are ready to donate in the last few days of the campaign. If all of this comes through, then yes, we can beat last year’s $125,000.
The non-profit Times Colonist Literacy Society raises money for school libraries and literacy organizations. Donations to the society are boosted by a contribution from the provincial government, via Decoda Literacy Solutions on behalf of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.
The more we raise, the more we get from Decoda, and the more we can put to work throughout our coverage area.
The $25,000 from the local family is the largest donation this year. The Golf for Kids organization gave $15,000. Russell Books gave us $30,000 after it took away all the books donated from a mini book drive in August.
Those book donations have already made a big difference, because they helped replenish the assortment of books in hundreds of little free libraries through the area.
Giving makes a difference. Giving makes this an even better place to live. All giving helps, whether it is $25,000 or a bag of books for a little free library down the block.
Since 1998, thanks to our book sales, other fundraising efforts and support from Decoda, we distributed more than $5 million to schools and literacy groups. And we would like to think that we have just started.
Donate online at canadahelps.org/en/dn/36542 to get an immediate tax receipt. Or mail a cheque to the Times Colonist Literacy Society, 201-655 Tyee Rd., Victoria, B.C. V9A 6X5, and we will send a receipt to you.
Thanks again for your support!
dobee@timescolonist.com
Dave Obee is editor and publisher of the Times Colonist.
