Helping our neighbours: Donate online at
Why are thousands of people donating to the Rapid Relief Fund, which was set up to help people in need because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
There are many reasons. Here are a few:
鈥淏eing grateful for my own situation and for the opportunity to help my neighbours during these uncertain times,鈥� Renee Bauert said.
鈥淎s a union construction worker in this province I have enjoyed excellent working conditions, benefits, and compensation,鈥� Mike Winstone said. 鈥淚 am in a good position, and now is the time to step up and pay something back to help those less fortunate. I challenge all my brothers and sisters across all trades to do the same.鈥�
From Sue and Carl Stovel:
鈥淲e are privileged to live in the beautiful city of Victoria and able to give back.鈥�
The Rapid Relief Fund is a good way to respond very quickly to the community鈥檚 most pressing needs at the ground level.
鈥淭his is critical in the next few weeks or months. Many are suffering and need our help now. Our grateful thanks go to all of you for your hard work in our community. When we focus on 鈥榯he helpers,鈥� the news in these stressful times becomes more bearable.鈥�
Clay and Gail Evans donated not once, but twice:
鈥淭here鈥檚 not a lot that those of us 鈥榳ho have鈥� can physically do to help the ever-growing segment of our population that is finding itself in need in these times of self-isolation, so providing a donation to the Rapid Relief Fund online allowed us to provide an immediate, local response.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to top it up for round two today!鈥�
Anna Nemeth said she learned from her parents, and donated in memory of her mother.
鈥淚 have always been passionate about gifting and this was entrenched in me from a very young age,鈥� she said.
鈥淏oth my parents came from incredibly humble means and always made it a priority to help others and to give back to our local community. With my mother鈥檚 recent passing I want to honour her memory and her philanthropic wishes.
鈥淢any of us in Victoria are incredibly fortunate to have good jobs, a stable income, a roof over our heads and near endless food to eat.
鈥淗owever, this is not the case for so many people right outside of our own back doors. We need to support our family, friends, neighbours and society members and without the basics of shelter and food, we will not prosper as a community.
鈥淚 encourage everyone to give back during this extreme period. This could mean a monetary donation, a helping hand or the donation of time.鈥�
Marguerite Scandiffio and Ora Mae Guinness noted that these are anxious and difficult times for all of us.
鈥淏ut we are very aware in our household of how lucky we are with home and food and income security, while so many others in our community are so terribly vulnerable. It is frightening and it is heartbreaking,鈥� they said.
Finally, words of wisdom from Perry Bamji, who came to sa国际传媒 in 1981 with his wife Annamaria:
鈥淥ver the years, sa国际传媒 has been good to us in several ways and we feel it is our duty and moral obligation to give back to the community that we live in,鈥� he said.
鈥淩ight now, we want to support the homeless, the needy and the desperate and give them hope so that they can negotiate these very trying and uncertain times.
鈥淪o with the three Cs in mind 鈥� Clean Hands, Clear Heads and a Compassionate Heart 鈥� Annamaria and I urge many more citizens to join in and contribute to this great initiative,鈥� Perry Bamji said.
They have all given, sometimes more than once, but we need more 鈥� much more. We鈥檙e close to
$1.6 million already. Every dollar donated before Sunday night will be matched by a group of local entrepreneurs and technology leaders.
The matching funds will be provided by Tiny, the Lake family鈥檚 All One Fund, the Jawl Foundation, Cork and Barrel Spirit Merchants Inc., Rajiv Khaneja and Sparklit Software, Frosty Pop, Toro Consulting, Pilothouse, and a local entrepreneur who wishes to remain anonymous.
As it stands, their generosity will mean a boost of about $300,000 on Sunday night, but remember that they have vowed to match up to $355,000. Let鈥檚 hustle! Let鈥檚 take every penny they have offered!
And the sooner the better, because the money is needed now, as the name of the Rapid Relief Fund states.
The fund was launched last week by the Victoria Foundation, the Jawl Foundation and the sa国际传媒, and we hit our first million within 36 hours.
But there is much, much more to be done.
The need is great. If you can help, please help.
HOW TO DONATE TO THE RAPID RELIEF FUND
Tax receipts will be issued.
鈥� Online:
鈥� Phone: 250-381-5532
鈥� Mail: Send cheques to the Victoria Foundation at #200-703 Broughton St., Victoria, sa国际传媒, V8W 1E2
Please ensure cheques are made out to the Victoria Foundation. Note the 鈥楻apid Relief Fund鈥� in the memo line or in a cover letter. If you are open to receiving your tax receipt by PDF, please include an email address with your donation.
