SPRINGHILL – Christmas kettles are returning to various Cumberland County locations as the Salvation Army has kicked off its major fundraising campaign.
Salvation Army members will be joined by volunteers from various community groups and organizations in staffing the kettles at several locations in Amherst and Springhill including Giant Tiger, the Superstore and Walmart in Amherst as well as Foodland in Springhill.
“The kettle campaign fuels what we do throughout the year, Lt. Stephen Toynton said. “We couldn’t do what we do without the support we receive each year from those who make a donation.”
Toynton is hoping the campaign will meet or exceed the $54,000 that was raised in 2016. The more money that is raised, the more will go into supporting those in need with things like lodging or accommodations for those are stranded in the area on the way to somewhere else.
He said the demand for help is not getting any lighter as more people call asking for help every year. That makes it very important for the kettle campaign to raise as much as the previous year, if not more.
“There’s still a big demand. We don’t see it getting any smaller,” he said. “There are a lot of people out there who really are in need. We have to do everything we can to help out, especially in situations where there are children involved.”
One of the biggest programs the Salvation Army operates is the food bank in Springhill.
The program will again benefit from Walmart Canada, which will match all the funds raised at its stores across Canada on one of the final Saturdays before Christmas.
reach last year’s goal of $50,000, which was exceeding by approximately $4,000. He’s optimistic the campaign will be successful because of the generosity shown in past years by Cumberland County residents.
“We’ve been very fortunate over the years to have tremendous support from the people and the businesses of Cumberland County. They have really gone above and beyond supporting the campaign and those who are in need,” Toynton said. “It amazes me how people are able to give like they do.”
He said Foodland in Springhill, like other stores, has been there from the beginning.
Its owner Lesa Isenor said it’s something she’s pleased to be able to do to give back to the community. Foodland will also be holding a food drive in the next few weeks to support the Springhill food bank.
“It’s about the community. We want to do everything we can to support the people of our community,” she said.
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
