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This morning, in print and online, we said that Andrew Beckerman was offering another match challenge: If four people gave at least $500 to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, he would donate another $500 as well.

Thank you, Andrew, and thanks as well to the four people who stepped forward before 10:30 a.m., helping to push the fund total to $147,000, well on our way to our target of $700,000.

So what did Andrew do for an encore? He offered another $500. If four more people donate at least that much today, that $500 goes into the fund.

This is his fourth match challenge this year, and his effort will make Christmas better for the less fortunate in our community.

These match challenges — basically, when one person or organization offers to donate an amount if others do – are a great idea.

Last week, the Victoria Foundation issued our largest challenge ever. The foundation will donate $10,000 if the same amount (or more) comes from someone else in the community. We’ve heard rumours that the challenge will be met early this week, which will mean a $20,000 boost for the fund.

The Victoria Foundation, Andrew Beckerman, and more than 700 other donors have put their money down to help those less fortunate.

Giving to those who must do without reflects the true spirit of Christmas.

The Times Colonist Christmas Fund was launched in 1956, and this year’s fundraising is more important than ever before. The need has never been as great as it is in this pandemic year.

We have already given money to the Salvation Army and the ­Mustard Seed Street Church, and both organizations have put that money to work in the community.

The more we raise this year, the more organizations we will be able to help.

The easiest way to give is to go to timescolonist.com/donate. That will take you to the Canada Helps website, which is open 24 hours a day and ­provides an immediate tax receipt.

Or mail a cheque, payable to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund Society, to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, 201-655 Tyee Road, ­Victoria, B.C. V9A 6X5.

Or use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Outside those hours, messages will be accepted.

Thank you.

Dave Obee

Editor and Publisher