(l-r) CJay Thun, Salvation Army Captain Neil Wilkinson, Jessica, Tammy, and Cam Thun

Prince George, BC – Cam Thun’s drive home from work every day takes him past the Salvation Army’s Church and Community Ministries building on Ospika Boulevard…

The local businessman says he’s noticed a considerable increase in need, with the line ups for food growing longer and longer. The Thun family has donated to the local charity in the past, but wanted to do something a little different this time.  They’ve gone public with their donation, in the hopes others will take up their challenge and ‘pay it forward’ – match their donation; thereby, allowing the Salvation Army to pass the good deed onto others.

Captain Neil Wilkinson says, "This (donation) is going directly into the community work that we do here at the Salvation Army, so it’s great that we get to ‘pay it forward’.  It’s kind of nice it just keeps going."

With this past Christmas Kettle Campaign falling $30-thousand dollars short of its goal, Wilkinson says the Thun family’s idea was a welcome surprise.  "We were concerned about how we were going to make ends meet through the fiscal year and it’s things like this that are going to help offset that deficit, so it’s quite a blessing."

For their part, the Thun family plans to honour those businesses and individuals who accept their challenge with ‘Paying It Forward 5000 Club’ plaques and T-shirts.  Cam Thun says he has several contacts in the community he plans to approach with his challenge and he’s had a few people speak to him about it already. 

Those wanting to ‘pay it forward’ can contact Captain Wilkinson at 250-564-4000.