THUNDER BAY – The local Salvation Army is focusing on the positive after one of its Christmas kettles was stolen, along with hundreds of dollars in donations.
The incident occurred Friday, when an individual removed most of a kettle stand containing between $300 and $500 toward the organization’s Christmas campaign.
Executive director Gary Ferguson said theft of the relatively heavy kettles was unfortunate, though not unheard of, despite precautions taken by the group.
He emphasized the incident has been outshone by the community’s generosity, with the fundraising campaign already more than halfway to its $220,000 goal.
In one example, a generous individual had stepped in with a $100 donation when they learned of the theft from volunteers replacing the stolen kettle, he related.
“Although we’re saddened by the theft, we are thankful that no one was hurt,” Ferguson said Monday. “As a Christian organization, we don’t hold ill feelings towards the person responsible for this crime, but we do hope that he changes from this path of self-destruction.”
Ferguson was pleased with the Christmas campaign’s financial progress in an uncertain year, noting rising uptake on the new “Tiptap machines” that allow tap donations in $5 increments using debit and credit cards.
However, he noted the organization was still seeking volunteers to staff the kettles.
Donations to the Kettle campaign will be accepted until 1:00 p.m. on Dec. 24 at the following locations: Superstore, Intercity Shopping Centre, Grandview Mall, Walmart County Fair, Walmart Memorial Avenue, Walmart Arthur Street Marketplace, and the LCBO’s at Arthur Street, Thunder Centre, and Dawson Road.
Donations can also be made online, by calling 345-6492, or mailed to The Salvation Army, 545 Cumberland Street North, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 4S2.
