The Salvation Army’s official Christmas Kettle Campaign officially began on Nov. 25, marking the first day that the donation kettles are available in grocery stores throughout Moose Jaw.
Major Dan Broome, director for the Moose Jaw Salvation Army Corps, has a great feeling about this year’s campaign.
The kettles will be stationed at seven locations in Moose Jaw — Superstore, Safeway, Co-op Marketplace, Wal-Mart, Town 'n’ Country Mall, Sobeys Liquor, and the Liquor Board downtown — on a rotating schedule until Dec. 24.
Funds collected through the kettle campaign will be combined with the Salvation Army’s Stocking Campaign and used to provide Christmas fixings to families in need. Last year, the Salvation Army provided aid to 400 families during the Christmas season in the form of gift cards or toys.
This year’s goal is to collect $50,000 for the Christmas aid program, and Broome is confident that Moose Jaw will step up to the challenge yet again this year.
The whole campaign runs on volunteers, who donate their time to man the kettles every day between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Don and Dianne Lammle were the first pair of volunteers at the kettle in Superstore, returning for their fifth year as volunteers with the campaign. Both find the experience to be very rewarding and encourage others to consider getting involved.
“It always feels good to do something helpful to the community,” said Dianne. “It's a great organization to volunteer for, and it's wonderful to help out at Christmas time.”
“The Salvation Army do so much good, they're wonderful,” added Don. “They are [good] to the down and out and the downtrodden, and they don't look down on them, they treat them as equals and that's exactly right.”
A loyal collection of volunteers return every year, both individuals and members of various community organizations, said Broome, but the campaign is always in need of more people to join the team.
“We've managed to procure enough volunteers for the first week,” said Broome. “But as it gets closer to Christmas, it gets a little more difficult, so we're always looking for volunteers.”
Broome also noted that there is still time to submit an application for the Christmas assistance program, as the loose deadline is Dec. 6.
“We don't want anybody to go without Christmas, so please call,” said Broome. “Christmas is a difficult time for a lot of families, with the added expense. . . so we're here to help.”
The campaign exists to make Christmas feel special for everyone, and Broome hopes to see the community get involved in the initiative any way they can — both by donating and volunteering.
“There's a lot of needs in our community and so by volunteering, you help out, you give back,” said Broome. “[We] can't do it alone.”
Those interested in becoming a kettle volunteer or applying to the Christmas hamper program can contact the Salvation Army office at 1 (306) 692-5899.
