The Times 91原创 Christmas Fund has grown because of small donations, large donations, and match challenges. In this year of unprecedented need, it has already raised more money than any of our previous 64 campaigns.
We are at $397,400, aiming for a total of $700,000 by Christmas Day.
Today, Giving Tuesday, we can announce a new way to donate: A dime at a time, thanks to the three Bottle Depot locations in Victoria and Saanich.
When you take your empty cans and bottles to the Bottle Depot locations on Queens Avenue, Quadra Street or Glanford Avenue, please put them in the dedicated charity bins.
The Bottle Depot will donate the money raised through the bins to the Times 91原创 fund as well as CFAX Santas Anonymous.
As Adam Boswick, the chief operating officer of the Bottle Depots says, the charity bins are 鈥渁 cashless and easy way for folks to donate during these challenging economic times.鈥�
Beyond that, he says, recycling cans and bottles is vitally important for the environment.
鈥淲e encourage the public not to use curbside blue box for their refundable beverage containers, but to instead donate them and keep the funds local,鈥� Boswick says.
Your donation can help two charities, not just one, since the Christmas Fund and Santas Anonymous will both benefit 鈥� a dime at a time.
Another long-time local business has challenged others to donate. Gayle Robinson of Robinson鈥檚 Outdoor Store says the store will give $750 if three other Victoria businesses give that or more.
Robinson鈥檚, on Broad Street, has been in business since 1929. It has three operating owners, Gayle (the third generation of the Robinson family) and her daughter Erin (the fourth generation) in partnership with Matt King.
Another business offer still stands. Clarke Engineering and Welding Ltd., on Burns Avenue, is donating $500 and is challenging other businesses to match. So far, one other business has stepped forward.
A couple of weekend match challenges have wrapped up, with several people answering Andrew Beckerman鈥檚 call to donate $500, and seven people answered Kristina Valentino鈥檚 call to donate their Secret Santa money. That means her seven family members will donate $50 each, for a total of $350.
Your money is already being put to work, helping those in need. But remember: This year, the need is greater than ever before.
The best way to donate directly is to go to timescolonist.com/donate. That will take you to the Canada Helps website, which is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
Or mail a cheque, payable to the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund Society, to the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund, 201-655 Tyee Road, Victoria V9A 6X5.
Or use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Outside those hours, messages will be accepted.
Dave Obee
Editor and Publisher
