The Salvation Army saw more money come in than ever before this past Christmas.
“It was definitely the most we ever raised at Christmas, it’s our biggest year ever,” said Doug McGillis, the Salvation Army’s community ministries director. “Last year had been the most but we surpassed that this year.”
The Christmas Kettle campaign, combined with donations from local businesses and individuals, netted $130,000 plus.
The 163 volunteers who put in over 1,300 hours to man the kettles in Campbell River and the nine volunteers who spent 72 hours watching over the kettles on Quadra Island were also recognized.
McGillis said all of the money raised stays in the community and will support the Salvation Army’s Lighthouse Centre on Cedar Street which hosts the hot lunch program Monday to Friday all year long. The funds will also be put towards the sandwich van which goes out most nights of the year – in the alley behind the Lighthouse Centre and in Campbellton – to feed the homeless.
The dollars raised will also help the Salvation Army with its Family Services Emergency Assistance Program which gives out emergency food four times a year and exists to help those in need get by in between days the Food Bank is open for distribution. The program also provides clothing vouchers for the Thrift Store on Homewood Road and basic household items.
Last Friday, McGillis thanked each of the 12 businesses that hosted a Salvation Army Christmas Kettle by presenting them with a plaque.
The businesses who hosted kettles were: BC Liquor Store in Mariner Square, Canadian Tire, London Drugs, Quality Foods, Save-On Foods, Shoppers Drug Mart, Superstore, Thrifty Foods, Tru Value Foods (Quadra), Wal-Mart, the Willow Point BC Liquor Store and Zellers.
McGillis also thanked the countless number of local businesses who helped feed the needy last year by donating food.