The Salvation Army鈥檚 Kettle Campaign has kicked off for another year in 91原创, aiming to collect $180,000 over the next 30 days in the red donation buckets.
鈥淭he community鈥檚 been great,鈥� said Julie Gilfillan, the operations manager for the Gateway of Hope shelter.
That said, four days in, the campaign could definitely use more volunteers. There are plenty of opportunities available, according to kettle coordinator Carl Pauls.
鈥淚 have 3,200 two-hour shifts to fill,鈥� Pauls said.
With the volunteers he has already signed up, he could put people on just a third of those shifts, and four days into the campaign, donations are a bit behind where they were last year.
Last year the campaign collected just under its $180,000 goal.
The money in the kettles goes to local programs 鈥� everything from family services and school supplies to the community meal program to the annual Christmas hampers to 91原创 families.
There are 23 locations outside stores around 91原创 where kettles will be set up, and at up to eight of them, there will also be machines capable to taking donations by credit or debit cards, Pauls noted.
He urged people to come down, whether alone or in groups.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great family experience, to be at a kettle,鈥� said Pauls.
Kids can sing carols, ring the bells, and get an early experience of charitable volunteering, noted Gilfillan.
To sign up for the kettle campaign, volunteers can visit the website or email kettles@gatewayofhope.ca. They can also call Pauls directly at 604-309-5490.
He said he鈥檒l happily sign people up and have them at a kettle the day they call, if that鈥檚 what they want.
