‘Tis the season to help others, to bring a little joy to the lives of people you know, and people you don’t.
We launched the annual campaign on Sunday, and so far, we have raised $13,200. That’s a good start, but we need more, much more, to meet the needs in the community.
The goal of our Christmas Fund is to help donors ensure that their money is put to work in the most efficient way possible. We distribute what we raise through about three dozen local organizations, led by the local chapter of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller as well as the Mustard Seed Street Church and the Salvation Army.
The money helps provide food for the hungry, toys for children, and comfort for all.
The goal of our 2023 campaigan is $1 million. It’s too early to say whether we will make that goal, but we are optimistic given the support that has been shown already.
A couple of major match campaigns are in the works. These are great – they can double or triple your donations, which in turn helps to boost the amount that we can give back to the community.
We have all faced many challenges in the past four years, dealing with the COVID pandemic and the social and economic upheaval that the pandemic caused. We are not out of the woods, not with the economy still in turmoil and the cost and availability of housing causing problems for many families.
The need is strong, so we need to be stronger. With the help of ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ readers, we can ease some of the pain and misery on our precious Island.
Thank you.
HOW TO DONATE TO THE TIMES COLONIST CHRISTMAS FUND
You can donate by going to the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund web page, .
That page is linked to ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½Helps, which is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
Or mail a cheque to the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund, 201-655 Tyee Road, Victoria, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ 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.