Vice-president and General Manager of Rawlco Radio Tom Newton(left) along with Mayor Michael Fougere drop change into the transit fair box to kick off the 2017 Jingle Bus campaign. (Jessika Guse/980 CJME)

Money raised from Jingle Bus to benefit local families

Dec 14, 2017 | 4:05 PM

For the third year in a row, the Jingle Bus campaign will kick off on Friday.

“This is good news,” said Mayor Michael Fougere. “There’s free transit service throughout the weekend for residents who can go do their Christmas shopping and go about their lives.”

Although the bus is free this weekend, coin donations will be accepted. Rawlco Radio, along with the City of Regina, have partnered together to make a difference for two charities in the city.

Money raised from people taking the bus will be matched by Rawlco Radio.

“(People) aren’t having to worry about finding a place to park, they can just jump on a bus,” Fougere said.

The Regina and District Food Bank and the Salvation Army will receive all the donations from the three-day campaign.

Last year, more than $4,000 was raised by transit riders. Rawlco Radio matched that and even dug a little more into their pockets, making the final amount raised $10,000.

Steve Compton, CEO of the food bank, said this year they’ve seen an increase in people using their services.

“About an average of 100 to 150 new families are reaching out for support, so we are seeing that pressure throughout the holiday season,” said Compton.

He added they will be making 2,500 Christmas hampers from the money raised through the campaign.