The Salvation Army has officially kicked off its 132-year-old tradition with its iconic red kettles to collect money at Christmas time to help those in need.
For many, walking into a local store or mall and seeing the red kettle is a sure sign that the holiday is fast approaching.
"The Christmas Kettle campaign is the Salvation Army’s only major annual fundraiser in the city of Cambridge and most of the organization's charitable programs in the city are dependant on this funding," said the Salvation Army in a press release. "All money raised in Cambridge stays in Cambridge."
Local politicians from Cambridge and the Cambridge Citadel Salvation Army brass band all took part in kicking off the campaign at the Cambridge Centre Mall.
"Thank you everyone and to the Salvation Army. The generosity of spirit doesn't happen by accident, it takes folks like yourselves to put in the work behind the scenes and make these things happen," said Cambridge MP Bryan May to the crowd of shoppers gathered in the Cambridge Center Mall.
Some of the money raised through the campaign will go toward another big Christmas initiative for the organization; the Toy Mountain Christmas toy appeal.
According to the release, while the public is always generous in donating thousands of toys to this campaign there is always a shortfall, especially in donated gifts for infants and teenagers.
Money raised through the kettle campaign is used to purchase gifts for underrepresented age groups while the rest of the money goes to fund the ongoing operation of The Salvation Army and their food bank in Cambridge; the second largest in the city.
Other initiatives such as: free emergency clothing, winter coats, school supplies, kids summer camp and ‘Operation Hope in Cambridge,' a year-round mobile feeding and resource program for the un-sheltered in the city, are all funded by the kettle campaign.
"They could not operate without the funding from this campaign," wrote the Salvation Army.
Dozens of shoppers gathered in the mall around the red kettle singing Christmas carols and ringing in the holiday season.
"The Salvation Army does great work in our city," said MP for Kitchener South-Hespeler, Valerie Bradford. "This year we know that many in our community are struggling financially so it's even more important that those of us who can do what we can to help out our neighbours."
There will be 15 kettle locations throughout the city and the organization is currently looking for volunteer greeters to stand at the kettles to thank donors.
The kettles will be out every day (except Sundays) from now until Dec. 23.
If you are interested in signing up for a shift, please contact the organizations Kettle Coordinator - Amanda Murphy at 226-387-7614 or at [email protected]
