EDMONTON – With less than two weeks to go until Christmas Day, a few local charities are behind in their fundraising goals.
“We’re hoping that we will be able to serve as many clients as we can, but it will impact on how we do our services in the future if we don’t make goal,” said Darlene Kowalchuk, campaign director with the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton.
The Christmas Bureau is hoping to help about 62,000 Edmontonians who do not have the means to prepare a meal on Christmas Day. The organization says it is experiencing a “severe shortage” of donations, and is sitting at just 28 per cent of its $1.8 million fundraising goal.
“It is a bit of a decline from previous years. Last year we were at 31 per cent at this time. In other years we would have already been at 40, 50 per cent,” Kowalchuk said Thursday. “We still have $1.3 million that we need to raise.”
And the Christmas Bureau is not alone, staff at 630 CHED Santas Anonymous have noticed a bit of donor fatigue, as well.
“We’re seeing a really generous come through with the toys and that’s fabulous,” said Lana Nordlund, executive director of 630 CHED Santas Anonymous. “However, the monetary donations – we have noticed that those have been declining over the years.”
A Bank of Montreal holiday spending outlook suggests Canadians will spend an average of $1,810 this Christmas, up 12 per cent from last year and up 30 per cent from two years ago.
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“All of us are experiencing an increase in cost of living that there’s just only so much money that can go around to donate,” Kowalchuk explained.
“This year there’s been some donor fatigue with so many disasters in our own province as well as throughout the world,” Nordlund said. “It’s really tough when things happen outside of our community, because Edmontonians just always pull through and help no matter where it’s needed.”
And while behind, both charities are hopeful the funds will come through, so all those in need will have the Merry Christmas they deserve.
“Are we confident? Maybe not. But we’re definitely hopeful. Edmontonians have a great spirit, so we’re hoping that that spirit will come together at Christmas time and that they will consider the less fortunate here in our community,” Kowalchuk said.
“We have our fingers crossed and our jingle bells on and we’re ready to celebrate, but we still require the monetary donations to make sure that everything can happen,” Nordlund added.
Both charities are still accepting donations. For more information visit the Christmas Bureau or 630 CHED Santas Anonymous’ websites.
With files from Shane Jones, Global News.
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