Salvation Army kicks off 2024 kettle campaign
- Chris Abbott
- Nov 20, 2024
- 3 min read
Chris Abbott
Editor
Simcoe Salvation Army, which services Norfolk County, kicked off its 2024 Christmas Kettle Campaign Friday morning at the Real Canadian Superstore in Simcoe.
“The Super Store very generously donates a location to us every year and they are good corporate sponsors throughout the year,” said Doug Montgomery, kettle coordinator, thanking Katherine Harriott, assistant store manager, at Friday’s kickoff event that featured live music from the Salvation Army band, led by Major Ken Ritson, Pastor.
“I think this is going to be an exciting season, but it’s a challenging season,” said Ritson. “There’s more people coming to us for help, and I understand that 30 per cent of food banks have run out of food at different times this year. The demand is greater than ever.
“So we count on you for your support,” said Ritson, appealing to the community for support. “We just pray that you will help us to help others, and you will help us spread the message… that the Salvation Army is there to help everyone.”
This year’s kettle campaign goal in Norfolk is $312,000.
“We depend on you because… we take care of about 1,475 individuals – that’s what we serviced last year - and it could be 750 families or more. We take care of families in Port Dover, Delhi, Waterford… and of course Simcoe. So, God bless you and Merry Christmas.”
The Salvation Army is in more than 400 communities across the country, Ritson noted, and during the Christmas season there are more than 4,000 kettles raising much-needed funds.
There are 12 kettles in Norfolk County, including one in Delhi, two in Waterford, three in Port Dover, and six in Simcoe.
“We have about 1,200 two-hour shifts that we have to fill, between all the locations, and we have about 800 of them filled so far,” said Montgomery. “So there’s still lots of opportunities. We try to accommodate people as much as possible – some people volunteer for one specific location. Our biggest need is in Delhi.”
Montgomery usually carries the master kettle schedule with him, so he almost always has it when people call him at 519-909-9421.
“Wherever there’s a Salvation Army near you, we need your help,” said Ritson. “More people are suffering than in previous years and coming to us for assistance.”
The kettle campaign is not just a fundraiser, it helps them connect with the community, and it helps raise awareness.
“This is the biggest awareness campaign as well as the biggest financial campaign,” said Montgomery.
“Every year, two or three times, I hear a heart-touching story about how the Salvation Army ‘helped my parents when they came to Canada’ or ‘they helped my mother when she was pregnant...’ Some of them have tears in their eyes when they’re telling you how the Salvation Army has helped them – directly or indirectly.’”
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
Applications for Salvation Army Christmas hampers will be accepted, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday, until Nov. 29 at the Salvation Army church on Colborne Street North.
Hampers include food and gift cards.
“To let people get what they truly want,” said Jean Montgomery, Salvation Army support worker.
Just for Kids is a program for children to pick out a gift for their mother, father or caregiver on Nov. 29, 4-7 p.m. Pre-registration is required – call 519-426-3640 (Family Services).
The Simcoe Salvation Army Christmas Dinner – call in advance to reserve a ticket – is Dec. 6 at 5 p.m.
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