For the past 13 years, Wayne聽Massey has contributed $5,000聽annually to the Times聽91原创 Christmas Fund through his company, Advanced Products Roofing.
鈥淭he company was doing well and I had a lot of good customers, and I was able to do it,鈥� said Massey, whose contribution has totalled $65,000 over the years.
Advanced Products Roofing has been involved in a number of prominent projects, including Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
This year, he is retiring and is shutting down the company. But he said he will continue to donate, although in a more modest way.
Massey said his dedication to the Christmas Fund stems from how he was raised in Ottawa.
鈥淢y parents always made sure that we had a good Christmas,鈥� Massey said. 鈥淢y mother worked two jobs, my father worked three.
鈥淏ut they always made sure that we had things on our birthday and Christmas.鈥�
While the rest of the year might have been tough, 鈥渁t those times, we were always taken care of.鈥�
鈥淎nd I just thought going forward, when I could do it, I would help out,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 just think it鈥檚 a time when everybody should have a little bit.鈥�
The Christmas Fund has been around since 1956, when it was known as the 500 Fund because its goal was to raise money for 500 of the region鈥檚 most needy families. It went on to become the 1000 Fund in 1980 and then the Christmas Fund in 2000.
Last year, more than $308,000 was donated.
The Salvation Army and Mustard Seed Street Church take care of the distribution of hampers and gift certificates, while the Mustard Seed, with the fund鈥檚 support, hosts an annual Christmas dinner at the Bay Street Armoury that attracts more than 1,000 people.
Our Place enjoys support from the Christmas Fund, as well.
How to donate
Please donate to the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund. The fund assists individuals and families in need during the Christmas season. Here are ways to donate:
鈥� Go to . That takes you to the Canada Helps website, which is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
鈥� Mail a cheque, payable to the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund Society, to the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund, 2621 Douglas St., Victoria V8T 4M2.
鈥� Use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Outside those hours, leave a message, we鈥檒l call back.
