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Salvation Army kettle campaign kicks-off

Angel Tree at Parkland Mall too
salvation  army kettle launch
The Yorkton Salvation Army kettle kick off, from left; Ron Sutherland, Salvation Army, Kim Spilchen with the Parkland Mall, Roy Bladen Salvation Army, MLA Greg Ottenbriet, Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley.
YORKTON -  The Yorkton Salvation Army officially launched its Christmas fundraising campaign Friday in the city with a brief event at the Parkland Mall. 

Asked what their goal was, Roy Bladen noted, “we raised over $100,000 last year,” adding it would great “to get to that this year.” 

While Bladen said his goal is to achieve numbers comparable to 2020, demand for service from the public is growing dramatically. 

“It’s increased some 60 per cent,” he said, noting that in 2020 the Yorkton Salvation Army provided 259 hampers. 

“We’ve already reached 200 and it’s not December yet.” 

The deadline to apply for a food or toy hamper is Dec. 9. 

Money can be donated at any of the five kettle locations which includes Save On Foods, Superstore, Walmart, the downtown Liquor Board Store and the Mall. 

This year, in addition to making a cash donation, tap technology allows for the use of bank cards. 

“It’s something the public has been asking for for years,” said Bladen, adding in three days’ tap donations have already hit $1,000. 

There is a need for volunteers to sit at the kettles, with shifts scheduled for two hours at a time. 

Bladen said “it really makes a difference” having someone with the kettles simply to thank contributors and to wish people a Merry Christmas. 

Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact Gwen at 306-744-3000. 

The Angel Tree campaign was also launched Friday to help gather toys for children. 

The ‘Kids Helping Kids’ toy drive effort includes an ‘angel tree’ with cards identifying specific toy wishes of children. People can take a card from the tree, buy the associated toy, and return it and the card to the mall location. 

“We need more toys,” said Bladen, adding the RCMP will be at the Mall parking lot with a cruiser on sight and its lights flashing to help gather toys.  

The program has been a “big success” in Thompson, MB. the last seven years, noted Bladen adding he hopes it does as well here as they need the toys especially for very young children and older kids. 

The RCMP initiative will run 11 to 4. 

The Yorkton Salvation Army officially launched its Christmas fundraising campaign Friday in the city with a brief event at the Parkland Mall. 

Asked what their goal was, Roy Bladen noted, “we raised over $100,000 last year,” adding it would great “to get to that this year.” 

While Bladen said his goal is to achieve numbers comparable to 2020, demand for service from the public is growing dramatically. 

“It’s increased some 60 per cent,” he said, noting that in 2020 the Yorkton Salvation Army provided 259 hampers. 

“We’ve already reached 200 and it’s not December yet.” 

The deadline to apply for a food or toy hamper is Dec. 9. 

Money can be donated at any of the five kettle locations which includes Save On Foods, Superstore, Walmart, the downtown Liquor Board Store and the Mall. 

This year, in addition to making a cash donation, tap technology allows for the use of bank cards. 

“It’s something the public has been asking for for years,” said Bladen, adding in three days’ tap donations have already hit $1,000. 

There is a need for volunteers to sit at the kettles, with shifts scheduled for two hours at a time. 

Bladen said “it really makes a difference” having someone with the kettles simply to thank contributors and to wish people a Merry Christmas. 

Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact Gwen at 306-744-3000. 

The Angel Tree campaign was also launched Friday to help gather toys for children. 

The ‘Kids Helping Kids’ toy drive effort includes an ‘angel tree’ with cards identifying specific toy wishes of children. People can take a card from the tree, buy the associated toy, and return it and the card to the mall location. 

“We need more toys,” said Bladen, adding the RCMP will be at the Mall parking lot with a cruiser on sight and its lights flashing to help gather toys.  

The program has been a “big success” in Thompson, MB. the last seven years, noted Bladen adding he hopes it does as well here as they need the toys especially for very young children and older kids. 

The RCMP initiative will run 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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