The Sooke Christmas Bureau completed its hamper campaign last weekend, delivering more than 300 hampers throughout the region.
This year’s campaign was also one of the best ever for the Christmas Bureau, thanks to more than $22,000 in donations, said bureau treasurer Ben Molesky.
Molesky noted the three local fire departments – Sooke, East Sooke and Otter Point – brought in $11,469 on their own, and was surprised how much came in from the rest of Sooke and the surrounding area.
“They’re super generous. For us to do this well for the population base that we have is outstanding,” he said, adding a chunk of those donations and cash also came from Lions clubs, as well as craft sales and other private donations.
The District of Sooke donated $7,000 this year to the bureau.
Among the 300 or so hampers, 160 were one-person hampers, 91 two person hampers, 54 for three people, another 38 for families of three or four, and then nine large hampers for families of five-plus members.
Comparatively, Moleski noted the bureau did a bit better with cash donations and food donations this time around. Families of three or more were given a turkey.
Moleski noted the only challenge was losing one of the main spearheads, co-chair Mike Thomas, after he was hospitalized with a lung condition.
The Sooke Christmas Bureau campaign continues until Dec. 31. If you would like to donate, please call 250-642-1534.