NEW GLASGOW
It’s a drop in the kettle that makes a huge difference in the lives of many Pictou County residents.
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign is nearing the end of another season with hopes that it can reach its goal of $100,000 for the local area.
“The giving is still there and we are really trying to have a big push in the last few days to meet our goal of $100,000. In years past, we made that goal,” said Deon Durdle of the local Salvation Army.
He said Salvation Army recruited some new volunteers this year, but more are needed to man the kettles in 12 different locations across the county. He will continue working on his volunteer list throughout the year in hopes of establishing more of a pool it can draw from in the future.
“We just ask people to give from heart and hopefully we will reach out goals,” she said.
All of the money raised locally goes toward local programming, he said, which includes heating assistance and food programs as well as summer camps for children and emergency relief.
“Big thing for us is making ourselves accessible and people can come to use as any time,” Durdle said.
In the Maritimes, the Salvation Army hopes to raise $1.9 million, but with just two days left in the campaign, it is falling short of its goal.
“While many Maritimers have already generously contributed to the kettles, funds generated to date are lower than expected. As of today, we’re over $620,000 behind our goal,” says Jamie Locke, divisional secretary for Public Relations and Development. “We want to thank those who have already supported this vital campaign with their donations and encourage more support to help us meet our goal.”
With over 300,000 people living in the Maritimes as low-income earners and many thousands more living in poverty, the demand for community programs and services is not decreasing. Last year, 43,000 people received support through the Salvation Army’s community and family services programming across the Maritimes.
Nationally, the Salvation Army raised $23.5 million last year through the Red Kettle Campaign, which ends on Saturday. Donations can be made in one of 200 stores where kettles can be found across the Maritimes, online at fillthekettle.com, and also via the mobile kettle App available on the Apple App store and Goggle Play.
