The work stoppage at Canada Post could not have come at a worse time for the Times Colonist Christmas Fund or the many other charities that are hard at work during this, the season of giving.
We normally rely on the mail for donations from many of you, but that stream has been cut off for the time being.
No problem. There are still ways to get the money to us, and we’re counting on the postal strike to be short, which would make it only a minor inconvenience rather than a serious setback.
So far, this year’s campaign has raised $128,620, with donations from 270 individuals, families and businesses.
Your donations matter. The money we raise goes to help people in need throughout our circulation area. Our goal is to do all we can to ensure these people are warm, fed and as comfortable as can be during the holiday season and beyond.
With our fundraising efforts, all of you can make a difference.
Moments after I arrived at Saturday’s Visions gala, which raised money for the Victoria Hospitals Foundation, I was handed an envelope with a donation for the Christmas Fund. (Don’t worry, the same person also donated to Visions.)
But you don’t need to track me down to donate to our fund. You can do it in other ways.
Go to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund web page, tcchristmasfund.com, which links to CanadaHelps. That site, which handled online donations, is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
You could drop off a cheque, made out to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, at the Times Colonist office, 201-655 Tyee Rd. in Vic West. (It’s the first building on your left as you cross the Bay Street bridge.)
Or, you can use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Times Colonist 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.
The Times Colonist and volunteers in the Sovereign Order cover many of the costs associated with our fund.
Thanks again for your support. We are off to a strong start, and it is all because of your support.
Dave Obee is editor and publisher of the Times Colonist.
