By Caitlin Brezinski

Christmas Kettle Campaign looking for volunteers

Nov 20, 2014 | 5:19 AM

On Friday, the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign will be kicking off at City Hall in Prince Albert, and it’s looking for volunteers to help this year. 

“The kettle campaign is the major funding campaign for the Salvation Army, how they finance the largest part of their projects,” said Donald Doherty, community ministries co-ordinator and director of family services.

The campaign will go until Dec. 24 and all of the money donated will stay in Prince Albert.

“The Salvation Army in Prince Albert has been here for 123 years, so it’s a very substantial relationship with the people of Prince Albert,” said Doherty.

To recognize the relationship between the city and the Salvation Army, Mayor Greg Dionne will be proclaiming December as Salvation Army month at the kickoff.

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“We’ve invited various guests and everyone’s welcome to come down,” said Doherty. “The kettles will all be in place in the morning … and anyone who wants to bring greetings will be asked to stand up and speak as well.”

Maj. Harvey Compton, kettle co-ordinator, said the campaign will continue to support the Salvation Army. 

“[Money] that we raised for that will go right through the year, not only for Christmas,” he said.

While the response to the campaign has been positive in previous years, raising $82,541 last year, Compton said they always need more help manning the kettles.

“Manning the kettles is both volunteer and paid and in the last number of years, because of a smaller volunteer base, we have to pay people so we’re in the process of doing that now,” he said.

Right now, about 10 people have signed on to help man the kettles but Compton and Doherty said they are looking for about 18 to 20. 

“We always have a shortage,” said Doherty. “There’s always a need and if somebody doesn’t show up, we have to go pull the kettle for their shift.”

There are eight different locations around the city which will house the kettles.  They are Canadian Tire, Gateway Mall, Giant Tiger, Saskatchewan Liquor store, Co-op, Safeway, Superstore and Walmart.

A number of service clubs and churches will also be partnering with the Salvation Army this year. 

“The community always comes out and supports us,” said Doherty.  “The various service clubs have competitions with each other to see who can bring in the most when they stand in on the days that they stand in, so it’s a good event.”

To volunteer, go to their website or call the office at 306-763-6078 and ask for Maj. Harvey Compton.

news@panow.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow