The festive sound of jingle bells and smiling volunteers manning big red kettles marked “Salvation Army” will get Christmas shoppers, and hockey fans across Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows reaching into their purses and wallets to help those in need.
The six-week kettle campaign has become synonymous the holiday season, and the 2015 Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign marks the 125th year that the organization has asked the public to help millions of Canadians living in poverty.
It started Nov. 20 and ends Dec. 24 this year, with 13 locations from Harris Road to 240th Street.
Some of those locations are new this year, as the Salvation Army attempts to meet its fundraising goal of $93,000. It fell short last year, collecting $80,000.
Several banks have agreed to host kettles for a day, said campaign organizer Sharon Scramstad, while a kettle will be set up at the Ridge Meadows Flames junior B hockey game on Dec. 11.
“The Flames game is new and we are excited about that.”
All of the funds raised go to supporting the Salvation Army’s local meal program. The Caring Place in Maple Ridge serves 9,000 meals a month, lunch and dinner, said Scramstad.
She is still looking for volunteers to help with the kettle campaign, about 200 are needed in total.
• To support The Caring Place this season by volunteering for a two-hour kettle shift, contact 604-463-8296 ext. 104, or bellringer@caringplace.ca.
To make a financial donation, please visit http://www.salvationarmy.ca/donate-now, call 604-463-8296, ext. 120 or text HOPE1016 to 45678.
The Salvation Army Caring Place is a multi-function facility focused on providing the essential needs of food, shelter and support to the residents of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. It supports vulnerable people in 400 communities across Canada and more than 120 countries around the world.
The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction. “When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community,” says a press release from the organization.
Kettles
Kettle campaign locations:
• Save On Foods, Harris Rd.;
• Superstore;
• Meadowtown liquor store;
• Canadian Tire;
• Safeway;
• Save On Foods, 203rd St.’
• Haney Place Mall – two locations;
• Extra Foods;
• Save On Foods, 227th St.’
• London Drugs;
• Black Sheep Liquor Store;
• Save On Foods, 240th St.