Toss your returnable containers into a Bottle Depot charity donation bin in December and help the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund help those less fortunate this holiday season.
For the second year in a row, the Bottle Depot has designated the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund and CFAX Santas Anonymous as the two beneficiaries for all revenue from returnable cans and bottles deposited into dedicated donation bins this month at its three locations.
Adam Boswick, chief operating officer for Bottle Depot, said last year’s campaign raised $14,000 for the two charities — with proceeds split between them — and the company hopes to beat that number this year. “The best part is that this is a cashless way to give — there is no out-of-pocket expense for the donor.”
It’s also a win for the environment, he said, since it keeps containers out of landfills.
The industry estimates that almost one million returnables go missing every day in the province — close to 80,000 in the Capital Regional District.
Boswick said when people toss their refundable containers into their blue boxes, the money — which he estimates at $3,000 a day or $1.1 million a year — goes to the company contracted by the CRD to collect recycling. “That money would be much better served if it went towards local charities — helping local families and people in need during this difficult time.”
Among this year’s recipients are families and individuals who have been adversely affected by the pandemic, many of whom never imagined they would be in a position of asking for help.
“We appreciate the help of the Bottle Depot, which month after month, year after year, donates time and money to worthwhile charities in our community,” said Dave Obee, the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½’s editor and publisher.
The ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund recipients this year include the Salvation Army, Mustard Seed Street Church, Our Place, Victoria Women’s Transition House, Nourish Cowichan and the 1 UP Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre. Last year, 20 organizations on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands received help from the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund.
Charity bins are located at all three Bottle Depot locations: 4261 Glanford Ave., 655 Queens Ave. and 3961 Quadra St.
If the bins are full, or they have a large load, people can go to the checkout till and ask staff to credit the refund to the Charity of the Month.
How to donate
You can donate by going to the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund fundraising page at .
The site 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.
