PICTOU COUNTY
The Salvation Army is calling upon the spirit of generosity in Pictou County for another year, with the launch of the Kettle Campaign and the Angel Tree approaching.
“We appreciate the generosity of the people of Pictou County in years past, and we certainly would appreciate the continued support moving forward,” said Deon Durdle, community ministries co-ordinator with the Pictou County Salvation Army.
The official kickoff for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Campaign will be on Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m.
The kickoff will encompass the entire Christmas campaign – which includes the Kettle Campaign and the Angel Tree program – a five-week period of thorough community fundraising and donations.
“A big part of our Christmas operation, every year, is our toy drive. We have the Angel Tree set up, and many organizations and individuals who donate toys help up to 400 families,” said Durdle.
Those participating in the Angel Tree Campaign can choose one or more of the many tags on the tree at the Highland Square Mall, with the names of children and toy suggestions for them, and can donate toys specifically knowing it will delight certain children on Christmas morning.
Durdle said that a good source of gifts for the Angel Tree campaign is the large general donations from around the community for which the members of the Salvation Army are grateful. The gifts associated with the Angel Tree are distributed a week before Christmas Day.
Anyone stepping forward to donate, either through the Kettle Campaign or the Angel Tree Campaign, is performing a gesture that is greatly appreciated, said Durdle, since demand for assistance increases every year.
“Families are registering this week, and we’ve seen it grow in the last number of years,” said Durdle. “In the last few years, I’d say it’s about a 10 to 15 per cent increase.”
“There’s a reputation we’re trying to hold, that we are able to provide for people in need. The funds we raise from our Christmas operations in Pictou County stay in Pictou County,” said Durdle. “They stay local, and that helps us with meeting needs throughout the entire year, for people in the community.”
Kettles for the Kettle Campaign will be set up at 12 locations at businesses across Pictou County. The Kettle Campaign will run from Nov. 20 to Dec. 23.
Volunteers are encouraged to participate in the Kettle Campaign, Durdle said, noting that, “volunteers would just be overseeing the kettles for shifts that are a couple of hours long. They’d just need to stand with the kettle and represent the Salvation Army.”
Those interested in volunteering with the Kettle Campaign should contact the Pictou County Salvation Army at 902-695-3298.
“We wouldn’t be able to do this without support of our retail partners,” added Durdle. “Their willingness to help us is a big part of this.”
KETTLE LOCATIONS
The Salvation Army of Pictou County will have donation kettles set up in 12 locations throughout Pictou County. These include the following:
– Highland Square Mall
– Aberdeen Sobeys and NSLC
– West Side Sobeys and NSLC
– Pictou Sobeys and NSLC
– Stellarton Sobeys and NSLC
– New Glasgow Walmart
– New Glasgow Atlantic Superstore
– Westville NSLC
