Donations to worthy local Christmas charity campaigns have been slower than normal with just over two weeks to go until the big weekend holiday.

The Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation announced Friday that its Light a Bulb campaign had reached $150,500 of its $250,000 goal. It counts the funds until Dec. 31.

“This year’s campaign is running behind compared to the last two years," confirmed campaign chair Kevin Arbuckle in a press release.

However Arbuckle added that the foundation is optimistic the community will come together in supporting equipment for VJH operating rooms.

Light a Bulb is raising funds for high definition camera heads and control units for four operating rooms the hospital.  The equipment would provide the surgical team with the tools to perform minimally invasive surgical and diagnostic procedures.

“Light a Bulb is a holiday tradition for many families, often through donations made in memory of a loved one or to acknowledge the care received at VJH,” said Arbuckle.  “For community members who are considering giving to the campaign, we want them to know their gift positively affects the lives of their families, friends and neighbours.”

Earlier this week, another big charity confirmed donations were not as high this Christmas season as they have been in the past.

On Dec. 7th, Vernon's Salvation Army reported that local people had so far donated about $135,000 to its Christmas Kettle campaign and letter campaign, about one-quarter of its $500,000 goal.

The money is used to supply the local food bank and for other family services.

There were also fewer people donating their time on the kettles.

Donations from local donors are down substantially for the United Way as well, according to Linda Yule, executive director of the United Way North Okanagan Columbia Shuswap.

Yule said those donations were sitting at about 70 per cent of what was raised last year.