A record $132,000 donation Monday to the sa国际传媒 Christmas Fund — which helps individuals and families through grassroots charities over the holidays — has pushed the fundraising total over the $1-million mark.
sa国际传媒 publisher and editor Dave Obee said the donation from the Lai family “is the largest we have received during our annual fundraising drive,” which starts each Nov. 12 and continues to the end of the year.
“This money will make a huge difference,” Obee said. “It will make many lives brighter during what could be a difficult time.”
The Lai family are no strangers to providing large donations to educational institutions and health facilities on Vancouver Island — the Wilson S.C. Lai Legacy Fund alone has donated more than $8 million to the Victoria Hospital Foundation, making it the foundation’s largest donor.
Ephrem Lai quietly dropped off the cheque at the sa国际传媒 building Monday with no notice or request for acknowledgment.
“We see so many families in need, so I said we should contribute,” said Ephrem Lai, of his conversation with his family. “If we can afford it, we should give back to the community.”
The Lai family pooled their money — $22,000 each from five couples and the Wilson S.C. Lai Legacy Fund — to donate a total of $132,000 to ensure the TC Christmas Fund “reaches the goal of $1 million dollars” based on the amount raised on Dec. 22, he said.
“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, continue your good work,” wrote Ephrem Lai on the contribution from himself and wife Judith.
The remaining contributors are Shawn and Karen Winstanley, Tracey Lai and Robert Grimm, David Lai and Jennifer Lynn, and Andrew and Katherine Lai.
“This truly is heartwarming,” Obee said. “It is wonderful to see the generosity in our community.”
Wilson Sze Chong Lai, born in 1938 in China, left his estate to charitable efforts in sa国际传媒 and overseas when he died in 2018. Always grateful to sa国际传媒 for the opportunity to come here, upon his death he willed his estate to a trust in his name that donates its annual income.
Ephrem Lai said his family’s motto translates to “Received from Society, Giving Back to Society.”
The Lai brothers’ charitable donations are linked to their grandparents, who always helped those in need in their village near Canton, in southern China, he said.
The brothers were uprooted during the Chinese Civil War and ran a successful textile business in Hong Kong before moving to Victoria, where Wilson had diverse holdings such as City Centre Plaza and Gala Fabrics.
As of Monday, the 2024 sa国际传媒 Christmas Fund campaign had raised $1,055,023.25 from 2,952 donors.
The fund, which started in 1956, is one of the oldest Christmas-related charity efforts in British Columbia.
Money is distributed to dozens of community agencies in Greater Victoria and elsewhere on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands through a partnership between the sa国际传媒 Christmas Fund Society and the local chapter of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller.
Last year, the Christmas Fund raised $1.12 million and distributed grants to 53 Vancouver Island charities.
With the Lais’ donation, “we are confident we will be able to beat last year’s fundraising total,” Obee said.
HOW TO DONATE TO THE CHRISTMAS FUND
• Go online to . That page is linked to sa国际传媒Helps, which is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
• Use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Cheques should be made out to the sa国际传媒 Christmas Fund. Bring or mail your cheque to the sa国际传媒, 201鈥�655 Tyee Rd., Victoria, sa国际传媒 V9A 6X5.
• Contact Maximum Express for free pickup and delivery of your cheque. Call dispatch at 250-721-3278 or email [email protected].
