Residents can expect to hear the jingle of handbells for the next few weeks as the Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign is now in full ring — er, swing.
The organization kicked off the campaign at the Co-op grocery store on Nov. 27. Two ladies from the Red Hat Society served as the first volunteers and Mayor Fraser Tolmie dropped in the campaign’s first money.
The Kettle Campaign runs from now until Dec. 25.
Other kettle locations include Walmart, Superstore, the downtown liquor store, the Salvation Army Thrift Store on First Avenue Northeast and the Town ‘n’ Country Mall.
Besides the kettles, the Co-op is also supporting the Salvation Army’s Christmas hamper program by providing $1,000 worth of gift cards. Program participants can use the cards to purchase groceries over the Christmas holidays.
Last year the non-profit distributed more than 500 hampers and over 1,000 toys. This year it expects those numbers to increase dramatically, based on what other Salvation Army outlets are seeing elsewhere.
The Salvation Army has changed how it approves applicants looking to be recipients of the Christmas hampers. People will have to submit an application to be considered eligible, while Salvation Army staff will interview them at the downtown location — 175 First Avenue Northeast — from Nov. 16 to Dec. 11.
These changes have also affected how it gives out toys, explained Cadet Lester Ward. This year parents will have to pick up the toys at the Salvation Army Church on Wintergreen Drive. Since pandemic restrictions prevent touching of the objects, volunteers will lead parents to the age-specific table and they can point to a toy they want. The volunteer will pick it up and hand it over.
This also gives parents a choice, added Cadet Almeta Ward. This method is different, but it has worked in other locations in Canada.
When asked what she thought about the Kettle Campaign’s launch, Mrs. Ward replied, “Excited! Very excited! I love Christmas. I like the opportunity that we have to help people — and children.
“Children are near and dear to my heart. And to think that a child could wake up on Christmas morning and not have toys, I don’t want to think about that,” she added. “So I am just asking the public, if you are able to bring a toy so that on Christmas morning, the child will be able to get up and be excited because there is something there for them,” that would be great.
The Salvation Army — just like the community — has faced a challenging year, but the organization appreciates all the support that residents provide, said Mr. Ward.
The Kettle Campaign is not just about the Salvation Army, but instead, it is really about proclaiming the love of Jesus Christ in the community, he continued.
“Anything at all that the community can reach the public and allow people to know that there’s hope and that they’re cared for, then we would love to journey and be a part of that,” added Mr. Ward.
Residents have many opportunities to support the Salvation Army’s Christmas campaigns. In partnership with the Moose Jaw Warriors, Mosaic Place is holding a toy drive from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30. That is followed by a toy drive at Murray GM on Tuesday, Dec. 1, and a two-day toy drive at Canadian Tire from Dec. 2 to 3.
A toy drive is also taking place in Assiniboia on Dec. 5 at the Red Apple store. Besides toys, a percentage of all sales will be given to the Salvation Army for families and children.
