The company has only been able to operate at about 80% of its capacity and sometimes less because of COVID protocols in its small factory. That’s meant some shortages at its Victoria and Lower Mainland stores, as well as its online ordering portals. “It’s been a good Christmas season, but the downside is we’re struggling to keep up with the demand,” said Sullivan. “Everyone here is working harder than ever before to get everyone their Christmas chocolates. We’re not at last year’s [sales] levels, but it’s better than we thought we would be, considering [the pandemic].”
Together, we are making a difference. Together, we are making our community stronger. Thank you for that. But we can’t stop, just because our immediate goal has been reached. The need will not go away on Boxing Day. The need will be with us for weeks and months to come, and the Christmas Fund will continue to work on behalf of those left behind, even after the Christmas season. We will continue to raise money, as much as we can, to help those in need. We can’t stop while our friends and neighbours are suffering. With that in mind, as one goal is reached we are setting another one. Let’s try to raise another $300,000 before the end of the year. That would mean deep breath here $1 million in total.
Another reason is a series of match challenges that have helped to put more fun into fundraising. The largest challenge came from Andrew Sheret Ltd., which offered $20,000 if another company or individual would donate at least that much. Price’s Lock and Safe met the challenge. Looking through the list of donors, it’s hard to miss the support given to the fund by local family-owned businesses such as Andrew Sheret and Price’s. Note who is here for the community in this time of need. Some $10,000 challenges have already been completed, but two more are outstanding. Norman Spector, who served as a deputy minister in B.C. and Ottawa, an ambassador, and a newspaper publisher, says he will match $500 donations by current or retired public servants to a maximum of $10,000.
Two $10,000 challenges for the Christmas Fund timescolonist.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from timescolonist.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The first new challenge comes from Norman Spector, who in his storied career was a deputy minister in B.C. and Ottawa, an ambassador, and a newspaper publisher, among other things. Spector has already donated $500, and is ready to donate much more than that. He says he will offer to match $500 donations by current or retired public servants to a maximum of $10,000. When donating, be sure to specify that your contribution is part of the Norman Spector match. The other major challenge comes from Bill Murphy-Dyson at Cox Taylor Lawyers in Victoria. The law firm has donated $10,000, and is challenging other law firms on Vancouver Island to meet or beat that donation. (No need to specify the match on this one; we will be able to tell!)