Salvation Army launches Christmas Appeal

The 2024 Salvation Army Kettle Campaign started with Mayor Deb Gilvesy, centre, making the first donation. Salvation Army pastor Lt. Drew Young, left, and long-time volunteer Doreen Gunkel were operating the location in the Tillsonburg Town Centre. (Jeff Helsdon Photo).

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

If there’s one program that highlights the spirit of giving at Christmas, it’s The Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign.

The Salvation Army has been running its Kettle Campaign for more than a century, and the 2024 edition of the campaign started on Nov. 14. The group and its volunteers will be at locations throughout town until Dec. 24.

The goal for this year’s campaign is $185,000. Last year’s goal was $175,000, and Tillsonburg and area residents ] donated $172,000. Lt. Drew Young, pastor at the Tillsonburg Salvation Army, is looking forward to a successful campaign.

“This year is going to help us maintain and grow our hub,” he said.

This year’s campaign started with Tillsonburg Mayor Deb Gilvesy making the first donation.

“I’m always honoured to kick off the Kettle Campaign,” she said on Nov. 14. “I’d like to congratulate the Salvation Army for being entrenched in the community for 140 yeas. Ninety-six cents of every dollar raised stays in the community. What makes the Salvation Army so special is their volunteers.”

In conjunction with the Kettle Campaign, the Salvation Army is also running a toy drive drop-off until Dec. 18. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off in the bin in the Tillsonburg Town Centre outside Wal-Mart. These will be distributed to local children.

Kettles will be located outside Wal-Mart and the LCBO in the Tillsonburg Town Centre, in Sobey’s, Canadian Tire, Metro, Zehrs and at the Salvation Army Thrift Store on Broadway. There is also a location run in Port Rowan by the Tillsonburg Salvation Army. Besides the traditional kettle for cash donations, there are tip tap devices that will take electronic payments via credit card, debit or smart phones. Receipts can be issued for electronic donations that meet a minimum threshold.

The donations fund The Salvation Army’s Christmas hamper campaign, which helped 283 households and 300 children last year.

“It’s enough to celebrate Christmas Day and a few days after,” Young said. “For those who are in need of toys for children, we provide toys as well.”

The Christmas program is by application only. For more information on the application process, call 519-842-3231, extension 104.

The Kettle Campaign also helps fund The Salvation Army Hub Program. This includes a variety of Salvation Army programs, such as food programs through the year, providing assistance with LEAP, ODSP, hydro, and government forms and the children’s back-to-school backpack program.

“The money raised this year goes into next year,” Young said.

The Salvation Army is also looking for volunteers to work at the Kettle Campaign. Anyone wishing to volunteers, can phone 519-842-3231.

Outside of the Kettle Campaign, the Tillsonburg Ministerial Association and many local businesses and agencies are partners in collecting food for the hamper program.