By Sarah Rolles

Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign officially kicks off

Nov 28, 2015 | 7:27 AM

The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Kettle Campaign kicked off Friday afternoon at City Hall.

The money collected from the campaign goes towards the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas hampers campaign.

As always volunteers are needed to help work at the kettles that will be placed at various locations in the city from now until Christmas Eve.

Lieutenant Shawna Goulding for the Salvation Army said they currently have approximately 200 two hour shifts that they need to fill for the Christmas kettles. She said sometimes finding volunteers can be a bit of struggle.

“The struggle I think…is starting up,” said Goulding. “People are not really into the Christmas mode at this point but for us we have to get going right away, so we’re starting full time. People don’t really think of Christmas until Dec. 20 or so, and by then we are winding down.”

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Mayor Greg Dionne attended the launch. He said Christmas can be a depressing time for those in need, and he encourages residents to make a donation when they pass a Christmas Kettle over the next month.

“Even though it (Christmas) is a joyful time for lots of people in our community, it is also a very depressing time for other people in our community. When you can’t put the food on the table, or give the kids a gift, depression sets in, and we don’t need that in this cheerful time,” he said.

Two generous donations were made during the launch event. The Prince Albert Grand Council Alternative Measures Program donated $550 and the Red Hat Society made a $400 donation.

Last year the kettles managed to raise a total of $89,600.

This year the Salvation Army has set a goal to try and raise $90,000.

In celebration of the Salvation Army’s official 2015 Christmas Kettles Launch, the Mayor also proclaimed December as Salvation Army Month in Prince Albert.

The Christmas Kettles will be placed at Canadian Tire, Co-op, Gateway Mall, Safeway, Saskatchewan Liquor Store, Superstore and Walmart.

Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to contact the Salvation Army’s office at 306-763-6078

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