Salvation Army launches 2025 kettle campaign

Salvation Army Lieutenants Chesney and Josh Edwards helped launch the 2025 kettle campaign in Simcoe on Saturday. There are 12 kettle locations in Norfolk County this year. 

Chris Abbott

Editor

Christmas bells were jingling Saturday morning at Sobeys Simcoe during the official launch of the local Salvation Army’s 2025 kettle fundraising campaign.

This year’s campaign runs from Nov. 14 – Dec. 24 with 12 kettle locations in Norfolk County -- and they need your help and support.

“We need volunteers,” said Andrea Taylor, Simcoe and area kettle coordinator, urging people to call 519-909-9421 if you can volunteer a couple hours as a kettle attendant. The minimum age to volunteer is 16.

Simcoe kettle locations include the Real Canadian Superstore, Walmart, Canadian Tire, Giant Tiger and Sobeys.

The Salvation Army Simcoe also operates kettles in Waterford (Foodland), Delhi (Wilkinson’s Your Independent Grocer), and Port Dover (Mike’s No Frills). They are also at LCBOs in Waterford, Delhi, Simcoe and Port Dover in December.

“A big shoutout to the Port Dover Lions, they take a kettle for us,” said Taylor.

Several churches, community organizations, and businesses have done the same, ‘adopting’ a kettle or location.

“This is my fourth year,” said volunteer Hugh McArthur, who rotates through many locations, twice a week.

“We have a goal of $318,000 for all of our Christmas campaigns combined, and all of the money stays right here in Norfolk County,” said Salvation Army Lieutenant Josh Edwards, pastor/corps officer with Lieutenant Chesney Edwards at the Simcoe Community Church, 184 Colborne Street North.

“The need is always there and it grows every year,” he said. “We have a number of faithful volunteers, but as they get older, some take on less hours or drop out completely. So if anyone has two hours a week to spare in their week, give us a call, we’d love to have you.”

In addition to the kettle campaign, The Salvation Army asks for donations through its Christmas Appeal letter campaign, which typically makes up about two-thirds of their annual fundraising.

“Both campaigns are very important, almost equally important, because the majority of the funds that we need to fund our programs - not just at Christmas, but the entire year – come from these two campaigns. So our success and our ability to continue offering services is largely dependent on us having a successful Christmas.”