It’s their biggest fundraiser of the year and it starts this weekend.
The Williams Lake Salvation Army annual Christmas Kettle campaign will kick off this Saturday (November 22) morning at 9:30 at Walmart.
“We’ll be there until about noon,” Community Engagement Coordinator Sarah Jackman said,” Then from noon until 6 pm at every one of our kettle location in the City the Williams Lake Mustangs Hockey team has very generously taken on hosting those kettles. We also have a kettle at the Credit Union and a couple of “Tap” only debit machines that will be at Home Hardware and Realm of Toys and a couple of other places as well.”
This year there will be 5 full time ones located at Walmart, the Wholesale Club, Save On Foods, Freshco and the BC Liquor Store downtown.
“And that works out to be about 460 separate kettle shifts that we have to fill with volunteers,” Jackman said, “So if you have a spare couple of hours over the next 5-weeks please give me a call and help us out by just standing there and ringing some bells, smiling, and handing out candy canes.”
The goal this year for the Williams Lake Salvation Army Christmas Kettle campaign is $70,000.
“With the high prices of everything and the way the economy is, it can be hard for people to reach into their pockets and purses and make that donation. I want everybody to know that all of the donations that they make to the Salvation Army do stay locally in Williams Lake and provide service programming and food to people in need right here.”
All monies raised go a variety of services they offer.
“We have our local community food bank, our kitchen that serves breakfast and lunch 5-days a week, a drop-in centre that provides a warm, safe space, it also laundry and shower services, and we have our thrift store across the street. Our food bank is getting more pressure than ever so it really is important this year to raise what we can.”
Jackman noted that their food bank helps many, many families, a large percentage of seniors, it’s a difficult time for a lot of people especially over the holidays.
“We were doing our Christmas Hamper registrations last week and our numbers are pretty high for people who are looking for aid. And it’s not necessarily stereo-typically the person that you think might be accessing a food bank. It could very well be your next door neighbour or your co-worker,” Jackman said.
The Williams Lake Salvation Army Community Christmas dinner will be held December 19 between 4 pm and 6 pm in their dining hall.
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