The Pennies for Presents coin drive has wrapped up and donations from our readers have been counted.
The annual Christmastime fundraiser, run through the Oak Bay News, Victoria News, Saanich News and Goldstream News Gazette, raised $12,000 for local charities through the holidays.
“We were absolutely overwhelmed with the number of coins we received,” said Black Press editorial director Kevin Laird. “Plus, we really saw the school community and business community come through to support the campaign.”
The 14th annual campaign named Santas Anonymous, Power to Be Adventure Therapy Society, Salvation Army and KidSport among the recipients this year, but the better-than-expected campaign means more charities will benefit from your donations.
Pennies for Presents will give $1,000 each to Santas Anonymous and the Salvation Army; $2,000 to KidSport and $3,000 for Power to Be.
As well, the Mustard Seed will receive $2,000; B.C. Families in Transition and paediatric care at Royal Jubilee will receive $1,000 each; $500 will be donated to Jeneece Place and $500 will be given to the school library at Sangster elementary school in Colwood.
The Pennies for Presents committee would like to thank the schools and businesses that collected coins for the campaign. And a special thank you to staff at the View Royal Casino.
“On behalf of your community newspaper, I would like to thank you for making this year’s Pennies for Presents campaign a huge success,” Laird said.
“Our goal every year is to help better the lives of local kids, and your donations will undoubtedly help accomplish that.”
kslavin@saanichnews.com