CALGARY – The Salvation Army held a news conference to update Calgarians on the status of the annual campaign.
As of Saturday afternoon, it is halfway to its million-dollar goal.
“That includes a very generous $100,000 donation from Wood Automotive group. So with less than two weeks to go, we’re really looking for people to drop a little change in the kettles as they’re going by. They can really change a life,” Pam Goodyear, captain of the ‘Christmas Campaign’, said.
Goodyear said 6,400 children have already registered for their toy program, a 10 per cent increase from last year.
“We know it’s tough times in Alberta and we’re looking for those who can give, to still donate,” Goodyear said. “One-hundred dollars could feed 20 people with a hot meal.”
As for donations at this point, it’s roughly on par to last year but across the province there’s a 20-30 per cent increase in people looking to the Salvation Army for help.
Salvation Army staff said every donation, regardless of its size, makes a difference.
“We know the last few days of the campaign are the significant ones but that’s also with the very high donation from Wood Automotive Group, which we haven’t had in other years, so we are still concerned with where the dollars will go,” Goodyear said.
Funds raised through donations made at the Christmas Kettles help provide direct, hands-on service to about 1.8 million people each year in Canada.
Each Christmas, the Salvation Army relies on thousands of volunteers to help with the ‘Kettle Campaign.’
With only two weeks left in the campaign, supporters are hoping Calgarians will come through to help the charity out.
If you haven’t had a chance to drop some cash into a kettle at the mall, you can also go online to donate to a personal kettle.
The personal online kettle is an easy-to-use online tool that allows people to customize their own kettle fundraising webpage and invite others via email and social media to donate in support of the work of the Sally Ann.
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