A second annual puzzle fundraiser for charity brought in more than three times the amount it did last year, thanks to a generous community and one Chilliwack Realtor.
The Chilliwack Puzzle sale raked in a whopping $34,000 for the Chilliwack Salvation Army food bank. A total of $17,000 was raised from selling 3,100 puzzles, and then Realtor Gary Baars matched it dollar-for-dollar.
"It was a very exciting event made possible by the community who donated 3,650 puzzles and purchased 3,100 puzzles," said organizer Steve Klassen.
The Salvation Army expressed its gratitude to Klassen and others who helped make it so successful.
"Thank you so much to Steve Klassen and all the volunteers for putting this on, and to everyone who bought a puzzle (or 10)! We will see you again next year," the Salvation Army posted on social media.
The inaugural puzzle sale brought in $10,075 in 2023. That same year, more than 2,800 puzzles were donated and 2,200 were sold.
"The plan is to carry on the event again next year," Klassen said, adding that they will likely start collecting puzzles in late August.
