Need a hand with your taxes?

Need a hand with your taxes? The Salvation Army Income Tax Program will help those with low income, seniors and those with disabilities complete income tax forms at no charge. This service is provided to eligible residents of Victoria with an annual income of less than $25,000.00.

This program runs from February through to the end of April each year. Income tax returns are completed by Mr. Jim ten Hove, The Salvation Army’s Planned Giving Representative for Vancouver Island. If you need a hand with your taxes, drop by our office with all of your forms and slips and we will do our best to process your return as quickly as possible.

For more information about tax clinics, check out http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/vlntr/nd-eng.html

Backstage Technologies raises over $13,000 for The Salvation Army

VICTORIA, BC - Backstage Technologies announced that it’s successful Facebook “Scratch and Win” charity campaign has resulted in a donation of $13,159.24 to The Salvation Army Community & Family Services. These funds will be used to help local families in need of short term, emergency assistance.

“Our major annual fundraiser, the Christmas Kettle Appeal, did falter this year because of the bad winter weather Victoria had. This generous donation from Backstage Technologies has put us well over our goal, we are very grateful,” said Megan Ponsford, Community Relations Coordinator of the Salvation Army.

“With the world economy faltering and charitable donations ebbing, it’s more important than ever that we think about those less fortunate than we are” said Dr. Russell Ovans, president of Backstage Technologies. “Our Facebook players have been fantastic and have again stepped up to the plate to help us combine fun with charity.”

Scratch and Win is a Facebook application that lets players enjoy playing free virtual scratch-off tickets. Winning tickets award players tokens rather than dollars, which they use to purchase virtual prize sets as they advance through the game. No real money is available to be won and there is no real gambling involved.

To raise money for charity, Backstage sold a special Salvation Army ticket at ten cents a piece with a Christmas themed prize set. The unique power in this new fundraising concept is the ability for charities to connect with willing donors at very small levels. As one game player and donor commented, “I’m glad to have been able to contribute to this special charity. It may have only been five dollars, but five dollars is all I could give.” This simple concept has put over $60,000 into the pockets of needy charities across this country.

About Backstage Technologies

Backstage is a Canadian software company that creates highly engaging casual games for social networks. Backstage is the only company developing Facebook a pplications that provide charities and non-profits with fundraising and awareness opportunities through the creation of branded content. Backstage Technologies was selected as 2008 Emerging Technology Company of the Year by VIATeC. For more information, visit www.bstage.ca.

Contact Information:

Backstage Technologies
Marc Dugas (mdugas@bstage.ca)
Business Development Manager
(250)384-2048

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