For 28 years the CHEK Christmas Drive-Thru and Telethon has been benefiting the Salvation Army.
Last year the annual event went virtual, but now the popular fundraiser is back in-person and bigger than ever.
“The contributions and donations we have been receiving have been increasing year after year, which is really great to see,” says Salvation Army public and government affairs director Patricia Mamic.
It’s a key part of the Salvation Army’s fundraising not just during the holidays, but year-round as well.
“The funds will be spread out throughout the whole year as well too and it also gives people the chance to give to the communities that they live in,” says Mamic.
“The funds that are given through this, the telethon, donated through cheques as people go through, are going to go back to those communities.”
Three locations, the Salvation Army Citadel in Victoria, the Thrifty Foods Belmont parking lot and Steve Marshall Ford in Nanaimo will welcome donations from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10.
“I’m blown away every year at how many come to the dealership … and just give and help out those that are less fortunate,” says Steve Marshall Ford owner Anne Marie Clark.
This year the main request from the Salvation Army is for monetary donations in a holiday season that’s seeing the most amount of need in decades.
“Unfortunately the need is increasing in our community,” says Mamic.
“We’re seeing it through COVID and just the cost of living going up and whatnot.”
It’s all part of helping everyone have a happy holiday.
“At the end of the day it goes back to those people who need it the most,” says Mamic.
Cole Sorenson
