The end of the postal strike will make it easier for charities such as the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund to receive donations in this, the season of giving.
But it’s important to note that the strike did not hurt the community as much as it could have. Thank Al Hasham, who stood up to the grinch of a labour dispute.
When postal deliveries were stopped, Hasham offered to accept cheques from local donors and deliver them to local charities.
His plan worked wonders, with hundreds of envelopes passing through Hasham’s company, Maximum Express Courier and Freight, every day.
With the strike over, Hasham isn’t stepping back. He will continue his delivery service to ensure that all donations make it to charities before the tax deadline, midnight Dec. 31.
He told me that he knows there will be a backlog of mail, and he doesn’t want charitable donations to be caught in it.
“We will work until Christmas Eve, then we will start up again next Friday and go to the end of the year,” he said.
Hasham’s service, free to donors and charities, is an amazing gift to the community. Take that, grinch.
The Times 91原创 Christmas Fund reached $774,949.34 on Tuesday, the same day that Canada Post resumed service. We suspect that a few letters stuck in transit will boost that total.
The donations to the Times 91原创 fund have come from 2,348 individuals, families and businesses. Our sincere thanks to all of you.
Our goal for this year is $1.12 million.
The idea behind our fund is simple: To help people in need, at Christmas and whenever else they are looking for a helping hand.
While the fund bears the name of this newspaper, we are only a small part of what makes it work.
It all starts with you, and you — people who see the need in your community and want to help. You do that through your donations.
Volunteers from the local chapter of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller have done due diligence on dozens of community agencies, determining which ones need support and will use the money efficiently. With the help of the Sovereign Order, the money we raise goes to organizations in Greater Victoria, up-Island as far as Campbell River, and on the Gulf Islands.
Again, thanks to everyone who has donated, with a special note of appreciation today to Santa Hasham and his merry band of elves driving Maximum Express vehicles.
HOW TO DONATE TO THE TIMES COLONIST CHRISTMAS FUND
• Go online to . That page is linked to CanadaHelps, which is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
• Use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Cheques should be made out to the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund. Bring or mail your cheque to the Times 91原创, 201鈥�655 Tyee Rd., Victoria, B.C. V9A 6X5.
• Contact Maximum Express for free pickup and delivery of your cheque. Call dispatch at 250-721-3278 or email [email protected].
Dave Obee is editor and publisher of the Times 91原创.
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