By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign has begun and officials are hoping to raise $250,000 in Chatham-Kent during the Christmas season.
That’s part of the $550,000 overall goal the agency has set its sights on this year, with the hope that an additional $300,000 can be raised via donations.
According to Larry Bridger, pastor and director of Chatham-Kent Salvation Army Ministries, the kettle initiative is taking on greater importance this year, as the postal strike may hinder folks from sending in donations through the mail.
“With the mail strike, we’re a little concerned,” he told The Voice in a recent interview, noting people who normally give using Canada Post can deposit cheques at the kettle locations, which are all equipped with tap accessibility.
“People can drop cheques or money at any location.”
Volunteers are still needed to man the kettles he said, noting there are two locations in Wallaceburg and six in Chatham.
There are still plenty of available slots for volunteers, Bridger explained, with organizers having a particularly hard time filling the 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. slot, followed by the 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. two-hour period.
Currently the Salvation Army is serving 170 households in Chatham and another 150 in Wallaceburg, as well as households in Ridgetown and Blenheim.
Anyone wishing to take a turn overseeing a kettle is invited to call 519-809-8375 or 519-809-1173.
