Once again a generous community came through.
The Salvation Army reported this past week that their annual Christmas Kettle campaign and the accompanying mail out solicitation efforts have resulted in revenues that exceeded expectations.
Ronza Reynard, administrative assistant and kettle campaign co-ordinator for the Salvation Army this year, said the community's Christmas Hamper project also rolled out to a successful conclusion with a slightly higher demand this season compared with last year's.
"The kettle and mailer campaign goal was $69,000 this year. I believe it was $65,000 last year," Reynard said.
"But it came in at $71,000, so they topped the target," she said.
The kettles by themselves came in about 12 per cent over the $24,000 goal while the mail-in project reached 99 per cent of its target. So overall, she said, "we're over the goal."
Another heartening statistic, she said, was found in the fact that the kettles that were placed in strategic locations throughout the city were mostly attended to by community volunteers.
"The volunteers staffed the kettles at an 86 per cent rate, up from 78 per cent last year. That is significant and appreciated," said Reynard. The rest of the time the kettles were tended to by Salvation Army personnel or had to be watched over by staff members in the retail outlets in which they were located.
"And let's not forget the 4,000 pounds of food that were brought into the food bank in December. That too, was up from last year when we had just over 3,000 pounds," she added.
As far as the Christmas hampers were concerned, there were 180 delivered this year, which Reynard believed was a slight increase over last year and more of the hampers were for larger families compared with 2010's requests.
"Again the Salvation Army partnered with a number of other community agencies and organizations for the hamper project as well as the Angel Tree and children's toy store. This year there were between 250 and 275 kids receiving gifts that came from the toy store. Gifts and vouchers were given to them through the hampers, for kids up to the age of 16. Sacred Heart School also provides an additional gift ... baby food that went into a number of hampers. They've been doing that for a few years, so those in charge of that program can add that to the hamper."
And while the Christmas season is now in the past, the demands for services and food hampers continues, Reynard said.
"We already have had some newcomers stop by needing some temporary help until they get settled and underway in new jobs, so we help them the best we can."
