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Salvation Army sets kettle campaign goal at $220K (4 photos)

Target is slightly less than last year's take, the money used to support the organization's community and family services programs.

THUNDER BAY – The Salvation Army is hoping Thunder Bay residents approach the holiday campaign with an attitude of gratitude.

The organization on Thursday launched its annual Christmas Kettle campaign at Intercity Shopping Centre, one of several locations they’ll set up shop around the city between now and Christmas Eve, and Major Lori Mitchell said they’re hoping to collect $220,000 in 2018.

That’s slightly less than they brought in last year.

“We try not to be too ambitious with our goal, because we want to make sure we can achieve it, but last year we set our goal at $200,000 and we brought in $230,000, so this year we’re setting out goal at $220,000,” Mitchell said.

“We’re confident we can reach that.”

The money collected will have plenty of impact on the services offered in 2019 by the Salvation Army, Mitchell added.

“This money goes toward our community and family services programming,” she said. “So things like our food bank, our soup van, our breakfast programs. We have an anger management program for children. We do a language cafe now for new Canadians to learn English and French.

“They’re programs we do out in community for people to hopefully help them improve their state.”

Mitchell said the need continues to grow.

“Not extensively, but the numbers aren’t going down,” she said. “For us, bigger numbers are not a sign of success. We actually want to work our way out of a job.”

One person who will be volunteering to collect money at a kettle is outgoing Coun. Larry Hebert.

A long-time volunteer, Hebert said his father was Second World War veteran who always told him he should support two charities, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross.

“I think, from the Salvation Army standpoint, they do a fabulous job,” Hebert said.

Also stepping again this year is the Thunder Bay Real Estate Board.

Representative Andrew Lawrence said he was pleased to be on hand for the kickoff launch.

“We really feel you have to give back to your community. You have to give back to those people who need it. I don’t think there is any organization that does it better than the Salvation Army,” Lawrence said.

This year the Salvation Army is testing out a mobile credit card payment option that will accept debit, Visa and Master Card at one location each day, rotated to different spots throughout the campaign as a way to allow those who don’t carry cash to donate.

Kettles will be set up at all three Wal-Mart locations, as well as Intercity Shopping Centre, Superstore and Grandview Mall. As of Dec. 1 they can also be found at LCBO outlets on Arthur Street, at the Thunder Centre and on Dawson Road.

Donations may also be made online at www.fillthekettle.com.

Volunteer are still needed. To participate, phone 345-6492.



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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