With Christmas one week away, donations to the Salvation Army’s annual Kettle campaign are down.
“Currently, we have raised $73,780 in donations. The Salvation Army in the Greater Victoria area is just under 50 per cent of our target, with a goal to reach $225,000 and over 200 empty volunteer kettle shifts still to be manned by Christmas Eve,” said Sipili Molia, community relations and kettle co-ordinator.
There are five active kettle locations on the West Shore. The charitable fundraiser runs through Christmas Eve and helps local Salvation Army units provide vulnerable people with basic necessities such as food, clothing, shelter and other provisions. Donations also enable the Salvation Army to offer programs such as substance abuse recovery, job and skills training and education classes, to help people find a way out of poverty.
“The dollars raised through this effort are not only used at Christmastime, but throughout the year,” said Patricia Cuff, the organization's divisional secretary for public relations and development in British Columbia.
Every contribution made remains in the community in which it was given, in order to assist local people in need. The five West Shore locations include two at the West Shore Town Centre (one is at the B.C. Liquor Store), Walmart, Superstore and the Colwood Thrifty's.
People are encouraged to donate at kettles around Greater Victoria or go online to fillthekettle.com.
alim@goldstreamgazette.com