The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign, set to launch this Friday, will run until Dec. 24.
The Christmas Kettle Campaign is aimed at raising money and awareness about the continued need for social service programs and resources to support vulnerable individuals and families here in the Comox Valley during the holiday season and year-round.
Every dollar that is raised through the Salvation Army’s Christmas campaign (kettles, mailers and online donations) stays here in the Valley to support the Salvation Army’s ongoing work. The goal here in the Comox Valley is to raise $282,000 through the Christmas Campaign.
The Salvation Army continues to offer donors a variety of ways to support this year’s Christmas Campaign: by way of physical donations through the Christmas Kettles, by stopping in at any of our locations throughout the Valley or by mail. You can also make a secure on-line donation by visiting our website (www.cvsalarmy.ca) and following the link for the Virtual Kettle.
In 2012, the Salvation Army distributed 544 Christmas Food and Toy Hampers to families and individuals here in the Comox Valley. In the first nine months of 2013 (January to September) they provided 6,782 hot and nutritious meals as well as 3,706 beds through their Emergency Shelter (Pidcock House).
In October 2013, 99 people had to be turned away from Pidcock House due to lack of beds.
“Every day I hear the stories and see the faces of our neighbours, friends, family members here in the Comox Valley who are struggling — struggling to pay their bills; struggling to put food on the table for their children; struggling to keep the mortgage paid and keep the utilities on; struggling to properly clothe themselves and their children,” says Pastor Darryl Burry. “It is our desire to assist in whatever area we can and to try and provide hope in the midst of these difficult situations.”
You can make a difference in someone’s life this Christmas season by supporting the Salvation Army through their annual Christmas Kettle Campaign.
“We have approximately 2,500 volunteer hours that we need to fill for this Christmas campaign,” says Burry.
If you, your organization, business, community group, or even sports team would like to volunteer for as little as one two-hour shift, or if you can cover one location for an entire day, contact Dawn, the Christmas Kettle co-ordinator by calling 250-338-6200 or by e-mail at volunteer@cvsalarmy.ca.
— Salvation Army