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Virden donors giving less, but still giving

Update on this year's Donors' Choice campaign
donors choice
Donations to Virden Donors' Choice going down, oil economy to blame.

In spite of declining revenues, Virden Donor’s Choice was still able to collect more than $53,000 during its 2019 canvass of local residents and businesses.

The registered charity is run by a small volunteer committee headed up by Karen McKinnon. Each year they offer citizens the opportunity to donate to their choice of charities, local and non-local, from a list of 20.

Over the last five years of campaigns, the donations have been on the decline from a total of $75,000 in 2014 to this year’s $53,000.

McKinnon says, “The committee feels that the decline in the oil industry is a factor.

“Donations from the town itself are about the same but it’s the donations from businesses that have changed, which is probably due to the economy.”

She adds that charities in the Donors Choice program still get a generous donation each year. This year, the largest sum ($5,642) goes to the Canadian Cancer Society followed by the Virden and District Health Auxiliary ($4,889) and the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba ($3,839).

The other Virden-based charities on the list are the Association for Community Living ($1,962), Funshine Day Care ($2,268), Pioneer Home Museum ($1,833), Kelchris Inc. ($810), Seniors Access to Independent Living (SAIL) ($3,239), Border Regional Library, Virden Branch ($2,852), Arts Mosaic / Costume Closet ($2,242), and Virden Auditorium Restoration Committee ($3,672).

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