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Canwest News Service
After hearing donations to the Salvation Army were down this Christmas – the prime time for fund-raising for social-service community organizations – Telus wrote a cheque today for $10,000 to the organization and challenged other businesses to also make last-minute Christmas donations.
"We heard they [The Salvation Army] were $500,000 behind in their goal for the B.C. region. We donate throughout the year but wanted to do a special contribution," said Telus chief financial officer Rob McFarlane.
"We're hoping this donation will spur others to also donate."
Volunteers are out manning the Christmas kettles in communities throughout the province but, as of Saturday, donations are at $1.8 million in B.C., down from $2.3 million at the same time last year, said Salvation Army spokesman Major Brian Venables.
"I think it's the state of our economy. People are unsure about the future so don't know if they have enough to give. But I don't think people have stopped caring," said Venables.
He added he's hoping the Telus initiative will help encourage others to donate in the last week before Christmas.
