A $50,000 donation, the largest gift to the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund this year, has pushed the fund total past the $100,000 mark.
The money comes from Andrew Sheret Limited, a Victoria-based business that has been giving back for more than a century.
“As a local business we are pleased to support the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund, which has a broad community reach benefited by low administrative costs,” says Julie Findlay, the company’s vice-president.
“We firmly believe in the principle of local businesses contributing to their community.”
Andrew Sheret Limited — perhaps better known to many for its Splashes Bath and Kitchen retail stores — has been a fixture in Victoria since 1892.
But a business does not have to be vintage to offer help to those in need. Donations from businesses are key to the success of our annual fund-raising effort.
We also appreciate the support of hundreds of individuals who see the need and want to help.
The 2024 campaign reached $101,640 on Friday, with the money coming from 178 donors, including Andrew Sheret Limited.
Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the people around us.
The ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund Society, which works with volunteers from the local chapter of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller, distributes money to dozens of community organizations.
Through your donation, more people will get more food. More children will get toys. There will be more clothing for all. More hygiene products.
The help that we provide is much broader than that. Volunteers with the local groups might need to provide advice and other help to the people they deal with.
Sometimes, an interaction with a friendly, smiling, helpful person can make a huge difference in the lives of those who are down on their luck.
It’s best to set aside any thoughts about who is getting help at a food bank or other community agency. It could be someone with two jobs, or a senior, or a woman bravely facing the end of a bad relationship.
These people need help — my help, your help, our help — and the Christmas fund can make it happen.
As has been said before, we do our best to keep administration costs as low as we can. Not a cent goes to the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ or the Sovereign Order.
This is all about helping as many people as we can, as much as we can. In Greater Victoria, up Island as far as Campbell River, and on the Gulf Islands.
We are making a difference. We are improving lives. And we will be able to do even more, thanks to businesses like Andrew Sheret Limited.
Thanks again.
Dave Obee is editor and publisher of the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½.
HOW TO DONATE
• You can donate by going to the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund web page, . That page links to ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½Helps, which is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
• Cheques made out to the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund can be dropped off at the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ office, 201-655 Tyee Rd., Victoria.
• You can also use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
