(The following article is from the May 16-31, 2010, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers and  overseas readers - $50 per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)

The PV Fund Drive for 2010 is now at the halfway mark. As of May 4, we have received $24,494, taking us to 49% of our $50,000 target. When the results of fundraising activities in recent days are added up - such as the Burnaby Club’s annual Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast - we will be on the way to completing the second half of the Drive.

Our Saskatchewan supporters are in the lead, closing in on their $800 target, with $725 raised, taking them to 90.6%. Congratulations for your quick start!

Ontario has jumped into second place, at 52.5%. So far we have received $11,342 from Ontario readers towards their provincial target of $21,600. British Columbia is next, with $8857 turned in, or 44.3$ of their $20,000 goal, followed by Quebec ($200 raised, or 40% of their $500 target). Alberta has sent in $1350 out of $3400, or 39.7%, and Manitoba is at 34.2%, with $820 out of $2400 raised. Newfoundland has sent in 20%  of their $400 goal, and we have $120 from the Maritimes, or 10% of their $1200 target. Another $900 has been raised by miscellaneous and overseas friends.

Our May 1-15 issue was circulated at a number of May Day events across the country, adding something unique to the marches and rallies. As noted last time, we are the only newspaper in Canada to devote an entire issue each year to celebrating the international day of the working class, printing greetings from trade unions, progressive ethnic groups, antiwar organizations, Communist Party clubs, and others who see our newspaper as an important part of the struggle for a better world. In this issue, we carry some highlights from May Day in Canada and around the world.

We have several fundraising events coming up soon.

On Sunday, May 16, readers in the Niagara Peninsula region are invited to hear Dr. Keith Ellis speak on the on cover-up of Cuba’s solidarity efforts in Haiti. This event will include a BBQ (including vegetarian food), and it takes place from 2 to 5 pm at 8 1/2 Allan Drive in St. Catharines.

On Saturday, May 29, from 8 am to 2 pm, Toronto readers are holding a street sale with proceeds to People’s Voice. It’s all happening at 526 Main Street, two blocks north of Main subway station.  Whatever you want, they have it, including hot dogs & sausages, clothes, books, jewellery, plants, and more! Call Liz at 416-469-2481 for info.

The opening of the new office space for Clarté, our sister newspaper in Quebec, was postponed to Sunday, May 30, starting 1 pm. Clarté is now located at the Association des Travailleurs Grec Hall, 5359 Ave. de Parc, Suite C. There will be refreshments, live music, and political reports on the Common Front union fightback in Quebec.

And finally for this time, mark Vancouver’s 18th annual People’s Voice Banquet on your calendars. The banquet will take place at the Russian Hall, 600 Campbell Ave., starting 6 pm, Saturday, June 5. Tickets are just $10; call Sam at 604-254-9836 for more details.

In appreciation for your generosity, we are once again offering supporters complimentary gifts. For each $100 in donations, you can choose one of these black and white portraits, mounted on card, matted and ready for framing: Che Guevara, Clara Zetkin, Augusto Cesar Sandino, Bhagat Singh, Gall (Sioux), Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, Louis Riel, Jeanne Corbin, or Gladys Marin. Other choices include music CDs or a copy of our 2010 Women’s Socialist Calendar. ●