YORKTON - With just nine days left until the end of the Kettle Campaign, the Salvation Army Yorkton is appealing to the community for support.
The campaign, which ends on Dec. 23, has raised approximately $75,000 of its $120,000 goal.
“We have a lot to raise between now and Dec. 23,” said Edith Dean, Interim Past with the Salvation Army Yorkton, in an interview with Yorkton This Week.
“We definitely would look forward to meeting our goal for sure,” added Dean.
The funds raised through the campaign stay in Yorkton, providing for families at Christmas and supporting the ongoing work of the Salvation Army throughout the year.
“It’s very important that we meet our goal in order to be able to provide services and expand our services,” said Dean.
The Christmas Cheer Kettles are currently set up in four locations: Parkland Mall, Save On Foods, Superstore, and Walmart. They will be manned by volunteers from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM until Dec. 23. However, Dean noted that they are facing a shortage of volunteers.
“Today (Dec. 14) we only have three kettles out because I don’t have enough volunteers and that seems to be very common now,” said Dean.
Dean appealed to the business community and individuals who are able to help.
“My appeal would be to the business community … if they are able to help us out in sending in their donations,” said Dean.
Volunteers can work in two-hour shifts or longer, and anyone interested in volunteering can contact Dean at (639) 571 – 1043.
Despite the challenges, Dean expressed gratitude for the support they have received so far.
“We certainly appreciate all of the donations that have come in whether it be food donations or cash donations that have come in thus far … and certainly appreciate all those who have stepped up and volunteered and helped us out because without the volunteers we would not be able to have our kettles out there and do the work that we do,” said Dean.
As a side note, Dean mentioned that the Yorkton Food Bank will be closed from Dec. 24 through Jan. 2.
