The Salvation Army rang in the Christmas season with launch of their kettle campaign Thursday.
"People identify Christmas and the kettle together. It's become a tradition," said Maj. Rob Kerr, executive director for the Salvation Army, at the Christmas Kettle kickoff at Intercity Shopping Centre Thursday afternoon.
This year's fundraising goal is $170,000; last year the organization raised $181,000 through kettle donations.
That money is used for various programs the Salvation Army runs in the community, including their food bank and soup van.
It also goes towards the organization's disaster response, breakfast and anti-bullying programs.
"This money is vital to many of the things we do," said Kerr.
"There are a lot of people in our community who are hurting. Without these types of things, there would be a lot of people who would be a lot more hungry, who would be in need of help and, quite frankly, would be in a lot worse shape than they are."
He believes it's the tradition of the campaign that keeps people donating year after year.
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"Their hearts are stirred. Their hearts are warmed at Christmastime. We always feel for those in need, those who are hungry. Those who are lonely at Christmas," said Kerr.
Kettle can be found at Intercity, Superstore, Grandview Mall, Wal-mart's Memorial Avenue and County Fair locations and the LCBO stores at Arthur Street, Dawson Road and the Thunder Centre until Dec. 24.
Kerr said they're still in need of volunteers to man the kettles. Last year, 853 volunteers put in more than 1,800 hours of time at the kettles.
Anyone looking to volunteer can call 345-6492.
