The Salvation Army Kettle Campaign Kicks Off in Kindersley
You know the saying, “it is better to give than to receive”?
Christmas is a time for giving and what better way then to help the less fortunate by giving to a great organization like the Salvation Army, who has made it their mission to help those who are in need. You will feel blessed, knowing that your giving will help out a person or family in need.
Thursday, November 23rd marked the kickoff to The Salvation Army annual Christmas Kettle Campaign that raises more than $10,000 locally each year – money that stays in Kindersley and mainly goes towards the purchase of Christmas items. All funds, over and above what is needed for the turkeys and hams, go to the Salvation Army Family Services Department that distributes the money in Kindersley to provide food, clothing, toys and shelter to those in need throughout the year.
Thursday at noon (Nov. 23rd), there was a special kickoff to the campaign at the Kindersley Walmart, where there will be a kettle located Thursday to Saturday from 12:00 pm until 6 p.m. each day until Dec. 23rd, 2023.
Organizer Jodi Geddes has been coordinating the kettles for 25 years said that it is a great cause and wants to make sure that people know that any money raised in Kindersley stays here. We are all very excited to start the campaign and assist the community who are in need.
The kettle is supervised during the day by individual volunteers and groups each year. Geddes says that many of the time slots have been filled, but there are still several available. Edwina Diehl from the Salvation Army will also have staff volunteer to fill time slots.
If you, or your group, have not already been contacted to help out this year and would like to take one or two hours out of your day to help out, you can contact Geddes @ 306 -460-4740. We are in need of more volunteers. Please call to see where you can volunteer for this worthy project for our community.
An official receipt for tax purposes is available, please put in an envelope you’re your name and address information and it will be processed in a couple of months.
A little history…
It all started in 1891, when Captain Joseph McFee wanted to help the vulnerable in San Francisco, especially during the Christmas season, but he didn’t know where to get funding to do so.
He remembered, during his earlier days in Liverpool, England, seeing a large kettle where passengers of boats that docked nearby were able to toss coins to help the poor. Captain McFee placed a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing, and encouraged the public to “Keep the Pot Boiling.” He collected enough to host a Christmas dinner for the poor.
The first time a kettle was used in Canada was in St. John’s, Newfoundland in 1906.
Funds raised through donations made at Christmas kettles, together with other sources of funds, help provide direct, compassionate, hands-on service to 1.6 million people each year in Canada, restoring hope and dignity to those who might otherwise remain invisible in society.
Jodi Geddes
Kettle Coordinator for The Salvation Army Christmas Kettles in Kindersley
306-460-4740
Lieutenant Derek Kerr
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Office: (306) 477-2363