It has become as much a symbol of Christmas as jingle bells and holly, sleigh rides and jolly old Saint Nick.
The Yorkton Salvation Army (SA) kicked off its annual kettle fundraiser at Parkland Mall on November 30.
"The goal was set at $88,000 for not just the kettles, but kettles and the whole Christmas campaign," said Major Linda Mailman. "That's mailings and donations that come in, the whole thing.
Mailman explained the drive is absolutely critical to the community services the local organization provides.
"This Christmas campaign will probably bring in 90 per cent of our annual income for our program here in Yorkton," she said. "This is our main thrust for our family services operation that we have here to help people. It's vital."
Those services include the food bank the SA operates year round, sponsorships for children to go to summer camp and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
At this time of year the charity also traditionally provides Christmas hampers to families in need, but Mailman said they decided to go a different direction this year and provide vouchers instead.
"That gives them a chance to have a selection," she said. "If they have different dietary needs, they can choose what they can have for their Christmas dinner."
Kettles are set up at Parkland Mall, the liquor store, Walmart and Superstore. This year saw the implementation of a new program called Adopt-a-Kettle. Businesses, community organizations or families can put together a team of volunteers to man a kettle for a day.
Although the campaign is already in full gear, Mailman said there are still plenty of opportunities available for Adopt-a-Kettle and two-hour shifts for individuals who want to help out. Call Gwen at 306 744 2442 for more information.
The Salvation Army is a worldwide Church that came to Canada in 1882. It was given legal standing in 1909 and now has 311 corps (churches), 330 service organizations, 877 officers (clergy), 18,000 soldiers (church members) and 44,000 adherents (church-goers who are not formal members).
The Army's long history of providing for the needy stems from the philosophy of founder William Booth that there is little point preaching salvation to hungry people.
