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Women in abusive relationships are often reluctant to leave the family home around Christmas, afraid that their children will be left with unhappy memories, says Susan Howard of the Victoria Women’s Transition House Society. But the reverse is often true.

Morley Bryant said the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund is top of mind as the world continues to struggle through the pandemic.

A family explains their $2,500 donation on Giving Tuesday

Donate online at timescolonist.com/donate

The face of need doesn’t always match our preconceptions.

The fund, which helps people in need in our community, is in its 65th year.

After a flurry of donations on Thursday — the deadline for charitable donations in the 2020 tax year — as well as a few more on New Year’s Day, your ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund has reached $1,243,452.

Donations to the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund are still arriving online and by mail, pushing the total to $1.186 million. The money is being used to help Island residents in need. There is still time to give. Donate online at ­­­ ­ timescolonist.

Your ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund has reached $1.17 million, with a couple of days to go before the end of the year. And odds are, more donations will trickle in during the first week of 2021.