ESTEVAN - Donations are lower than normal for this time of year for the Estevan Salvation Army's Christmas campaigns.
Ronza Reynard, the director of ministry for the Salvation Army in the Energy City, said they were at 34 per cent of their goal as of Dec. 12. Last year they were at 52 per cent of the objective on the same date. Both years the Salvation Army hoped to raise $125,000.
"We're hoping that as it gets closer and closer to Christmas, we will start to see a few more donations coming in," Reynard said, adding that the final days would be when most of their donations come in.
The Salvation Army's letter appeal traditionally is the catalyst for their Christmas campaign, but this year the donations haven't been coming through the mail during the Canadian Union of Postal Workers' strike that started Nov. 15. Reynard said some people have been bringing cheques to the Salvation Army's building at the intersection of Fourth Street and 11th Avenue, while others have deposited their contributions into one of the kettles that are located at several spots in the city.
The Salvation Army's building is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. They can also drop by the Salvation Army on Monday with a donation and knock on the door.
"We're seeing more donors coming in that normally mail it in, and it's nice, because we're able to put a face to some of the names that we see, especially if it's somebody who regularly gives at Christmas time, or even throughout the year when they mail in a cheque, so this is nice to get to know our donors a little more," said Reynard.
The Salvation Army sent out its mailers early this year in anticipation of the strike. Once the work stoppage is over, Reyard believes there will be an influx of donations.
"I think some people have done that … got that envelope in the mail and then the strike happened, and now we're going to be waiting for those envelopes to come in once the strike is over," said Reynard.
Some people have reached out about how they could send a cheque via courier.
"People are just trying different ways … and popping into the office is the easiest way to make sure it gets to us," said Reynard.
For those who want a tax receipt for 2024, the donation has to arrive or be post-marked by Dec. 31.
The Salvation Army has had enough volunteers for its kettle campaign, which Reynard said has been running smoothly. Kettles will remain in the community until Dec. 24.
Support has been strong for the food bank, with different groups doing fundraising. The food champion contest, which pitted several companies in town, had excellent support, with St. Joseph's Hospital emerging as the winner.
Money raised during the kettle campaign and the letter appeal will support the Salvation Army's various programs throughout the year.
She noted The General Store has a campaign that supported the Salvation Army and the Estevan Humane Society, and she is grateful to anyone who has supported this year's campaigns.
