The Estevan Salvation Army is counting on the generosity of the community once again for its Christmas campaigns.
The Salvation Army has set a goal of $100,000 for the upcoming Christmas season. It hopes to collect $30,000 through the kettles that will be set up around the community, and another $70,000 through mailed-in donations.
Major Heather Harbin said the goal is the same as last year. The Christmas campaign in 2016 generated approximately $110,600, which is the most the Salvation Army has raised at Christmas.
“We thought we would leave it at the same goal,” said Harbin. “If we go over, that’s wonderful, but we decided ... that this would be a good total to land.”
The money raised through the kettles and the mail-in donations will be used to fill hampers fills at Christmas time and throughout the year. But the money also serves to fund the ministry’s other programs, and supports such initiatives as the food bank and the other needs of the community.
A kickoff for the kettle campaign will happen on Nov. 23 at the Southern Plains Co-op’s Estevan grocery store at 1 p.m. The first day for the kettles will be on Nov. 30.
The kettles will be set up at the co-op, the Estevan Shoppers Mall, the Estevan Walmart, No Frills and the Estevan liquor store. The final day for the kettles will be Dec. 23.
There will be several shifts to be filled at each location every day.
Harbin said they need volunteers for each shift at every location. If there isn’t a volunteer, the kettle will have to be taken down.
“There’s always spaces available,” said Harbin.
Service groups, businesses and individuals have already stepped forward to work at the kettles.
“People can choose where they want to be, and the shifts that they want, if they’re open,” said Harbin.
This is also an important time of year for the Salvation Army’s food bank. The food bank traditionally receives strong support before Christmas, allowing it to meet the community’s needs before Christmas and into the winter months.
Harbin said the Salvation Army is entering the Christmas season with shelves that are relatively full, thanks to the annual Canada Post Stamp Away Hunger Food Drive and other initiatives that happened in October. But it doesn’t take long for the shelves to be depleted.
The demand usually increases as Christmas approaches.
“The demand has remained steady over the last number of years,” said Harbin. “It had such a rise, and the numbers really jumped up. I think that’s pretty well where we’ve stayed. We haven’t seen them go down.”
Some organizations will have food drives prior to Christmas for the food bank, while community events will encourage people to bring a non-perishable food item.
“There’s a big push and the shelves get full, and it’s wonderful, because it takes us through those first winter months,” said Harbin.
The annual Teddy Bear Toss will happen at the Power Dodge Estevan Bruins hockey game on Saturday night against the Humboldt Broncos. Spectators are asked to bring a teddy bear, or they can purchase one at the game. When the Bruins score their first goal of the night, the fans will toss the teddy bear onto the ice.
The bears will then be rounded up and turned over to the Salvation Army, who will distribute the bears to local youths, senior citizens homes and anyone else in need of a bear.
“We’re looking forward to that,” said Harbin. “It’s always a fun evening.”
The Salvation Army will also have a presence when the CP Rail Holiday Train stops in Estevan on Dec. 15 at 3 p.m.
“This is our third Christmas here, and we’ve just been amazed at how wonderful the people of Estevan and area are for supporting us,” said Harbin.
