Cathy Dobson/The Independent

Sarnia-Lambton charities are acutely aware that hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential holiday donations are being lost while the postal strike drags on.

“We are worried that we will fall short and will have to cut back at a time when most of our agencies have an increasing need,” says Ryan Doyle, director of development and communications for the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton.

Direct mail donations are “a huge part” of the United Way’s annual campaign is hoping to generate $1.487 million this year.

Usually, the annual campaign expects about $250,000 to arrive in the mail and was on track before Canada postal workers walked off the job Nov. 15.

“The campaign was tracking ahead of 2023 in mid-November and we’ve fallen behind since,” Doyle said.  “I can’t exclusively say it’s because of the mail strike but it’s a possibility.”

The local United Way funds 29 programs and 17 agencies across Sarnia-Lambton, including several that are critical to the rural area.  They include Lambton Elderly Outreach, the Red Cross, North Lambton Community Health Centre programs, and VON student nutrition programs.

Myles Vanni at the Inn of the Good Shepherd says his organization usually receives 50% of its donations for the year during the month of December.  About $250,000 – $300,000 generally arrives by mail.

“It’s nerve wracking, with everything we’re trying to do, to see a drop in charitable donations during the holidays,” Vanni said.

People feel more generous during the holiday season and are more likely to donate, he said.

“The worry is that we won’t get the same level of donations if the strike resolves after Christmas because people get so distracted by their bills.”

Vanni said his hope is that online and in-person donations will help make up for it.

The good news is that online donations to the Inn have doubled since last year, bringing in $50,000 a week during December compared to $25,000 a week in December 2023.

“It certainly helps close the gap but it doesn’t make up for a lack of mail,” Vanni said.  “We’re used to getting stacks of mail filled with cheques this time of year.”

The Salvation Army, which regularly serves meals for those in need in Petrolia as well as other services, is also having to pivot during the postal strike, according to Cpt. Brad Webster in Sarnia.

“The impact is unknown yet but we believe giving is still happening because we are seeing a lot more people coming in to donate,” said Webster.

“Vehicle after vehicle is pulling in at our office and we think that’s great because donors who come in-person can see our programs.”

Webster said he hopes in-person or online donations continue flowing because the local Salvation Army Christmas Kettle campaign is struggling this year.

“We’re lagging behind last season,” he said.  “But we’re still hopeful.”

In-person donations have also increased at the United Way, said Doyle. And there’s a silver lining to that.

“I like when people come to our office and we can connect with donors,” he said.  “These connections can be important to a local charity.”

Several charitable agencies, including the Salvation Army, are lobbying the federal government to extend the 2024 tax credit deadline for charity-related donations to January or February 2025.

“That would be very helpful,” said Doyle.  The local United Way has not been able to send out its usual quota of mailers during the fall/winter campaign and will consider a mailing in January if the strike ends in time.