The Salvation Army calls for volunteers to help with upcoming fundraisers

Jennifer Morris, community and family services manager at The Salvation Army Stratford- St. Marys Regional Community Ministries, at the Salvation Army St. Marys branch.

By Alex Hunt

From decorating smiles on cookies to packing gift hampers, there’s no shortage of volunteer opportunities to help make someone’s Christmas special.

The Salvation Army Stratford-St. Marys Regional Community Ministries is requesting volunteers for a variety of upcoming holiday fundraisers. Depending on the initiative, volunteers are expected to fulfill duties such as sorting/packaging food, decorating Smile Cookies and standing with kettles at local businesses.

Salvation Army community and family services manager Jennifer Morris said volunteers will have the opportunity to learn and grow in an environment they’re used to as well as build friendships and develop new life perspectives with a broader understanding of what’s happening in the world.

The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to help with the Kettle Campaign, which will run until Dec. 24. Kettles are located at Tremblett’s Your Independent Grocer, Scotiabank, Foodland and the LCBO.

Upcoming events for volunteers include:

- The Toy Drive, collaborating with the Stratford Police Service at Canadian Tire on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Salvation Army is looking for toy and game donations for children aged 10 and above.

- The Smile Cookie Campaign, which will run from Nov. 17-23. Volunteers are asked to decorate cookies to support the local foodbank and Tim Hortons Camp.

- The Food Drive, in partnership with Stratford Police Services, Your Independent Grocer and the St. Marys Fire department will take place on Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Foodland. High-priority donation items are baking mixes, rice, lunch snacks and canned fruit.

- Giving Tuesday will return on Dec. 2, a day when locals host events and initiatives to benefit non-profit organizations and families in need. Past activities have included the “Pull Up a Chair Auction,” where residents donated and decorated chairs to raise money for community meal programs.

- The Christmas Hamper Registration is open now and will close on Dec. 22, but it’s encouraged that people sign up on Dec. 1. Families in need of Christmas essentials can register for a hamper, which will include food and toys.

“This is a great community of people, and St. Marys has a strong volunteer network, which is powerful to see,” said Morris. “If someone is in need of support, their privacy is respected, and we are happy to provide food and clothing to those who need it. We want to make sure that everybody has a bright Christmas with the hope that it carries on throughout the year for them.”

Morris said those looking to support the community as volunteers can apply online through the Salvation Army website at www.salarmycfs.ca/volunteer. They can also message the local Salvation Army on Facebook or call 519-284-2760.