This year’s ShareLife contributions are on the rise - up by $160,000

TORONTO - Things are looking optimistic for the 2012 ShareLife parish campaign as contributions are up compared to last year after the first ShareLife Sunday on March 29.

“The initial results are in and they’re slightly ahead of last year which is optimistic,” said Arthur Peters, ShareLife’s executive director.

Before noon on April 5 the campaign total sat at $4,316,550, about a $160,000 increase from the previous year. Money collected supports more than 40 social agencies which benefit 250,000- plus people in need.

“We hope that this trend continues through the campaign as we work to reach our $12.3-million goal. We still have a long way to go,” said Peters. “The matching gift (program) has, in a few instances, inspired parishioners to make new gifts or increase gifts.”

An anonymous donor has pledged to match donations made by new donors, as well as any increase from people who have donated in the past. Peters said the more than $4.3 million accounted for does not reflect the contributions from the anonymous donor sponsoring program.

While the matching gift program and tax credits for donations are motivations to support the campaign, it is not the main reason people give, said Peters.

“Most importantly they get the satisfaction of knowing they’re making a difference in the lives of people who may be their friends, their relatives or the people sitting beside them in the pews,” he said. “As Catholics they are extending the hands of Christ to those in need.”

Peters knows this satisfaction first hand from practising what he preaches by donating a significant portion of his income each year to the campaign.

“I’m passionate about the agencies and the services that they give.”

While only two more ShareLife Sundays remain in the campaign, April 29 and June 3, Peters encourages parishioners to give whenever and whatever they can. For information on donating, see www.sharelife.org.