THUNDER BAY - The bells are ringing across the city, not to mark the start of the holiday season, but to remind us to lend a hand to those most in need.
The Salvation Army on Thursday launched its Christmas Kettle Campaign at Intercity Shopping Centre and based on the success of last year’s campaign, Major Lori Mitchell, executive director of the Salvation Army, said this year they are raising the bar.
“Last year our goal was a little bit lower, but we surpassed it so we are putting up the goal a little bit hoping to surpass it again,” she said. “Last year our goal was $180,000 but raised $209,000 in total. We boosted the goal a little bit this year hoping we will do better than we did last year.”
The annual fundraiser collects funds for community and family service programming offered by the Salvation Army, including its food bank, Mobile Nightly Feeding Program, the Red Cap Anger Management Program at area schools, and the school breakfast program.
Mitchell said the need in Thunder Bay is still very great and the kettle campaign is the Salvation Army’s biggest fundraiser for the year.
“This is a thrust campaign,” she said. “We do general fundraising throughout the year, but this is really our main focused fundraising campaign. It is five weeks to raise $190,000, it’s pretty ambitious and pretty busy.”
It couldn’t be done without the help of hundreds of volunteers and partnering organizations. Last year there were more than 870 volunteers ringing the bell by the kettles and Mitchell hopes there will be just as many people out helping this year, too.
“We have a lot of time to fill,” she said. “We are looking for people to do an hour or two, whatever they can offer. Anybody can come out and help.”
Kettles will be located at various businesses throughout the city, including Intercity Mall, Walmart, the Arthur Street Marketplace, various LCBO locations and the Thunder Centre.
For more information on donations or volunteer opportunities, call 345-7319.
