It鈥檚 almost Christmas, and the Salvation Army is in its final push of its kettle campaign. The main fundraiser for the Salvation Army, their goal is to hit $107,500, which will go to helping people across Yorkton. So far, they have raised $62,021, or 58 per cent of their overall goal.
Lieutenant Samuel Tim with the Salvation Army said they are a bit behind last year in their fundraising efforts, and are hoping that the last week before Christmas will give them the push they need.
鈥淲e hope to catch up, we hope that people will come around, as they always do, as we push to our target.鈥�
Right now the push is for monetary donations through the kettle campaign. Tim said that the money will help them help others year-round, whether that鈥檚 through food, buying necessities like sanitary items and diapers, or sending kids to music camp. Tim said they feed families all year.
鈥淭his money will help us keep the shelves stocked for when people come to ask for help.鈥�
The Salvation Army also sends kids to music camp every year, something Tim said is important because of how it can change their lives.
鈥淲e send kids to camp every year from the community to camp every year to music camp... It鈥檚 not very cheap, but it鈥檚 also something that the kids will need to have in the summer, because music is very important. It builds self esteem, it builds skills.鈥�
The Salvation Army is also distributing the Christmas hampers this week. There will be 145 food hampers and 40 toy hampers distributed to families in need in Yorkton and area, helping a total of 475 people.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to include everything you can think of for a Christmas meal... We even go as far as Turkey or Ham if they so choose. Also we give toys to families at Christmas, because there鈥檚 something wrong about a kid waking up Christmas morning and there鈥檚 nothing under the tree... We step in to make sure all kids wake up on Christmas day with gifts under the tree.鈥�
There is still time to both donate and volunteer at a kettle. Tim notes that there are kettles in five locations through the community - including the Parkland Mall, Save-on Foods, Superstore, the liquor store and WalMart.聽 Anyone who wants to take on a kettle shift can call Captain Mary Tim at 306-316-0265.
鈥淲e can鈥檛 do this on our own, we are here for the community. As they say, it takes a village to help, and the city has always been helpful. They have come to support us, and I think this year is going to be the same... We will finish, we will get there.鈥�
