Fraser Valley – Girl Guides have dispensed with the cookies, Scouts have sold their apples and the Poppies are put away until next Remembrance Day.
Now we are into the really tough emotional time. Christmas giving.
This is always the time of year where the hands and caps are out but the charity monies are dwindling, and there is no quick fix.
As the economy continues in its doldrums (you can argue that we never recovered from the 2008 economic collapse) charities are always the first to take it on the chin and make “less” work “more”.
Cyrus Centre in Abbotsford and Chilliwack are struggling to pay the bills.
The Salvation Army and Ruth and Naomi’s feel the pinch. In fact, the Salvation Army is asking major donors to double down or match donations.
The Chilliwack Alano Club realizes that after the current gaming funding agreement is over (Knight Road Bingo Legacy), they are faced with some serious belt tightening. Add insult to injury, during the November storm, the original 33 year old furnace blew. That was a major hit that the Alano Club had to swallow.
Even, the titan of charities,Variety- The Children’s Charity is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Show of Hearts Telethon in February, by going back to its roots. That means live performances to entice views and givers.
A recent poll for BMO suggests 69 per cent of Canadians plan to make donate during the holidays this year, down from 75 per cent last year. The average contribution is expected to be $167.
That might sound like a lot, but in reality, it is the proverbial drop in the bucket.
And it’s always the case of those who do not have much….give the most.
Trying to shame people into giving doesn’t work, so don’t even try, but the facts are there, staring you in the face.
If you can spare a little and let others know there is a mounting crisis, perhaps that charity that you love so near and dear, will be able to pay it’s bills ….. for now.
