It's begins to look, and feel a lot like Christmas once we see the Salvation Army's red kettles set up outside storefronts for their annual Christmas campaign.
With more than 2,000 locations across Canada, the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign is a fundraising effort that occurs each year during the holiday season. This year's Christmas Kettle Campaign got underway last month on Nov. 22, and kettles will be accepting donations in front of retail and grocery stores in Cowichan Valley until 7 p.m. on Dec. 24.
This annual effort to raise funds that go towards providing the necessities of life for those in need such as food, clothing and shelter, gives the public an opportunity to donate whatever funds they can spare to support the work of the Salvation Army during the holiday season and throughout the year. Last year the Salvation Army raised $134,000 and are hoping to increase that to $140,000 for this year's campaign.
"This is the most important thing we do," said Salvation Army thrift store manager Rachel Anderson. "This campaign allows us to set our budget for each year and to know before we go into the year just how much we can help our families in our community — everything raised in Duncan, stays in Duncan. We could not make this happen without the help of our volunteers, volunteering is giving back directly to the community."
For the second year in a row, I happily gave my time as I donned a Santa hat with sleigh bells in hand to brave the cool weather for a worthy cause. This year I spent time outside of the Walmart in Duncan. While my feet froze, my heart was filled with warmth as I witnessed firsthand the generosity from residents of the Cowichan Valley. Some shared stories, some gave bills, while others made change to create positive change for those in need. A little jingle of the bells adds a jangle to the kettle, but a sound just as sweet were the needless but much appreciated compliments I received for donating my time.
Donations made at Christmas kettles, combined with other sources of funds, help provide direct, compassionate, hands-on service to more than 1.9 million Canadians each year, restoring hope and dignity to those who might otherwise be invisible in our society. The Salvation Army works tirelessly year round and also hands out large food hampers and snack packs to those who are unhoused, and in need. The Salvation Army also gives away 185 snack packs monthly which is a packed lunch for the unhoused and costs them $9 each to prepare. Other services they offer include a free tax clinic out of the store where they file roughly 850 taxes for the community each year, as well as supplying emergency food hampers to the community up to four times per year.
"This annual campaign also allows us to raise money for our Christmas hampers," said Anderson. "We give away $70,000 worth of Christmas Hampers, as well as buy tarps, ponchos, and emergency blankets for the unhoused."
It was during the holiday season in 1891 that Captain Joseph McFee felt the need to help the vulnerable and struggling population in San Francisco but didn’t know where to get the funding to do so. McFee remembered seeing a large kettle where passengers off boats that docked nearby were able to toss coins to help the poor during his earlier days in Liverpool, England, so decided to place a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing where he encouraged the public to ‘Keep the Pot Boiling'. That year was the start of something truly special and enough was collected to host a Christmas dinner for the poor.
The richness of this first act of kindness led to the Salvation Army having Christmas kettles set up to make a difference all across Canada, and around the world — Canada saw its first red kettle in 1903 in Toronto. It is said that time is precious, but when we think about how much of it we fritter away each day, this chance to volunteer and be social with strangers during this difficult season for some is truly the gift that keeps on giving.
Those interested in giving up a little time to do a world of good at the kettle this holiday season can email cowichanvalleykettles@salvationarmy.ca or call 250-732-8988, or those who prefer to volunteer their time at the store can email rachel.anderson@salvationarmy.ca.
"We have 33 shifts each day to fill and about 70,000 more dollars to raise with 10 days of kettles left to go to make this a successful year," said Anderson.
Residents can now tap into the Christmas spirit by using a debit or credit card at kettles set up around the community, or donations can also be made online by visiting fillthekettle.com.
The annual Christmas Kettle campaign depends on volunteers to commit to a two hour shift in a myriad of locations including Walmart, Thrifty Foods, London Drugs, Save-on Foods, Canadian Tire and Superstore.
For the amount of time one might spend watching a movie or scrolling online this small donation of time to do a valuable service is time well spent, and good for the soul.
"We want people to know where their money is going and to feel safe in knowing that it stays in the community," said Anderson. "The hope is to give hope to anyone in need."
