For Leslie Churchill, Christmas when she was seven years old almost never happened. Her family was struggling financially and could not make ends meet. That meant no traditional meal with all the fixings, and no presents.
“There were six of us, so trying to get us all even something little would’ve been very difficult,” Churchill said.
Enter the Salvation Army.
“They gave us all our toys and stuff,” she explained. “I actually still have my teddy bear from when I was seven.”
The struggles, however, did not stop there. Years later she was a single mother with two kids, wondering how she could put on Christmas. Once again, the Salvation Army came to her aid.
“They bought my kids tons of toys and food, things like that,” Churchill said.
The Salvation Army prides itself on its Christmas programs. The Kettle Campaign raises money for those in need; the goal this year is $150,000. Santa’s Anonymous sees donated presents wrapped by volunteers so families can have gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. Adopt-A-Family allows for groups to provide gifts and Christmas meals to those in need.
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“The Salvation Army strives to be a transforming influence in the lives of people here in Regina,” Major Doug Binner from the organization’s Haven of Hope said. “Through our Christmas program, we believe we’re making a difference and helping people have a meaningful Christmas.”
In the first week of registrations, 500 families signed up for hampers. By the end of the campaign that number is expected to be 1,000. As well, up to 600 families are expected to be adopted.
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In order to check off all those Christmas lists, however, help is needed, especially with the Kettle Campaign.
“We’ve got over 2,300 hours we need to fill in order to have those kettles manned full time,” Binner said. “We’re still short about 1,000 hours.”
Churchill hopes people volunteer because the generosity had a lasting impression on her – so much so she recently started working with the Salvation Army, co-ordinating the Kettle Campaign.
“I emphasize with people when they come because I have had to use it,” she said.
“Without these programs there are a lot of kids that would go without.”
One of her favourite parts of the job is seeing the gratitude in the eyes of those benefiting from the programs.
“They’ve just got tears in their eyes and you just feel good about yourself that you’re able to help, and that’s how I love to give back,” she explained.
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