Fund growing at amazing clip, already surpassing 2019 total

Please help those in need. Donate at timescolonist.com/ donate

Your Times Colonist Christmas Fund continues to grow at an amazing pace, with two $20,000 donations from two local companies helping to push the total to $352,700.

That’s more than the fund brought in during the 2019 campaign, and is a reflection of the great need in the community this year.

Two days ago, Eric Findlay, the president of Andrew Sheret Ltd., said the company would donate $20,000 if another company or individual will donate at least that much. The challenge was met on Friday morning, thanks to Wally Price of Price’s Lock and Safe, which has six locations on Vancouver Island.

“We’ve done remarkably well this year,” Wally told me. “We’ve been very fortunate, and lucky that we were able to keep our people busy after we were declared an essential service.”

It’s interesting to note that the two companies have something else in common, besides their strong commitment to helping those who have suffered because of the pandemic.

Findlay and Price both run locally owned family businesses, and both have deep roots here. Andrew Sheret Ltd. was started in 1892, and Price’s Lock and Safe was founded in 1895.

Local and long-term, and eager to help the community. It’s not a coincidence.

Match challenges do not have to involve big numbers. Every donation counts.

We still have an open one. Kristina Valentino says her family members will donate $50 each for a total of $350 if another family will donate their Secret Santa money as well. Please indicate “Secret Santa” with your donation so we can keep track.

And Andrew Beckerman, who has already offered several match challenges, is back with another one. If four people give $500 or more, Andrew will donate another $500. These donations should say “Beckerman”.

We have already given money to the Salvation Army and the Mustard Seed Street Church, and will announce other recipients early next week.

Your money is being put to work. Your money is making a difference.

To give, 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 Colonist Christmas Fund Society, to the Times Colonist 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.