Support, says Capt. Jamie Locke of the Salvation Army in Charlottetown, rang in loud and clear for the Christmas kettle campaign.
A goal of $80,000 was easily surpassed with $90,603 in cash last year stuffed into kettles manned in Charlottetown, Souris and Montague between Nov. 21 and Dec. 24.
“We did really well,’’ said Locke.
“I think it’s quite representative of the concern that residents have for people in their communities who are less fortunate and struggling.’’
Locke says volunteers spent a total of 2,360 hours in two-hour shifts at kettles set up in seven locations in Charlottetown and one location each in Souris and Montague.
He says the successful campaign was fueled by plenty of new, energetic
volunteers and kettle co-ordinator Gordie Clow, who “went over and above the job we hired him for.’’
The more than $90,000 raised through the Christmas kettle campaign will contribute to a number of programs and services offered by the Salvation Army in Charlottetown, which serves both Kings and Queens counties.
The tally is up about $11,000 from the campaign in 2011.
Residents across the Maritimes, in fact, answered the bell for the Salvation Army, contributing more than $1.6 million to the annual campaign, exceeding the goal and raising the highest total ever.
“I think it’s quite representative of the concern that residents have for people in their communities who are less fortunate and struggling.’’ - Capt. Jamie Locke of the Salvation Army in Charlottetown
The funds were collected at approximately 200 kettle sites throughout the Maritimes from mid-November through Christmas Eve.
In 2011, the Christmas kettle campaign raised $1.52 million in the Maritimes.
“I am grateful for the continued success of our Christmas kettle campaign,” said Major Doug Hefford, divisional commander for the Maritimes.
“Once again, our success is due to the generosity of Maritimers, who have never let us down. With these funds we will continue to assist those in need, giving hope today and every day to those who need it most.”
Nationally, the Salvation Army collected $20.6 million, just shy of the goal of $21 million.
The Salvation Army provides direct, compassionate, hands-on service to those in need across the country and around the world.
Last year in Canada, the Salvation Army provided help to more than 1.8 million people.
Here in the Maritimes, the Salvation Army operates 33 units in 23 communities throughout the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
