The Salvation Army in Estevan received record-setting support for its annual campaigns in December.
Major Heather Harbin, speaking with the Mercury on Monday afternoon, said they received more than $115,000 in donations in the weeks leading up to Christmas, which eclipsed their goal of $85,000.
“We were really overwhelmed with the generosity of the people in Estevan and the surrounding area,” said Harbin.
The kettle campaign generated approximately $36,000, which was a little better than their $35,000 goal. Kettles were set up at several locations in the city for much of December, and people deposited donations of varying amounts.
The letter appeal accounted for the remaining $79,000, which was significantly higher than their $50,000 goal.
The Salvation Army received about $96,200 in donations through their 2014 campaigns.
Harbin believes the growing need for the Salvation Army’s services, as a result of the ongoing economic downturn, inspired many people to give a little more at Christmas time.
“I thank those who have stepped up to the plate, and said ‘We’re going to help those who don’t (have) this time,’” said Harbin.
Volunteers threw their support behind the campaigns. The Salvation Army had approximately 100 individual volunteers, and another 25 companies and service groups ring bells at the kettles.
“A lot of people did double duty,” said Harbin. “They would say ‘If you get a call, and someone can’t make it, give me a call and I’ll help you out.’ That’s always great to have them on board.”
The food bank wasn’t forgotten at Christmas time, either. They received about 8,500 pounds of food, leaving the food bank almost at capacity and not lacking in any particular food group.
It should be enough food to get them through the winter months, which is a situation they want to be in after Christmas.
The Salvation Army also received more than 1,200 teddy bears during the Estevan Mercury Teddy Bear Toss Game between the CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins and the Kindersley Klippers in December. Some of those bears have already been distributed.
“We even had someone come in on Christmas Eve,” said Harbin. “We were having our service, and a lady came in, and needed a couple things that had been forgotten. We were able to give them some Christmas teddy bears, and a few other things.
“It was a perfect ending to the Christmas season. She was happy, and we were so happy.”
This year’s campaign was the first in Estevan for Harbin and her husband Wilf; they were transferred from Trail, B.C., to Estevan in July. She said the campaigns in Estevan were different from anything she has experienced, and the Harbins have been through a lot of Christmas campaigns.
“I was really impressed with the generosity, and with people asking, being concerned and wondering how we were doing,” she said. “It was an amazing couple of weeks.”
The money raised through the campaigns will be directed towards the Salvation Army’s initiatives at Christmas time and throughout the year.
