The Kettle Campaign was officially launched on Saturday, as the Salvation Army's primary fundraiser gears up for the holidays.
The Estevan Salvation Army has set a goal this year of $30,000, which they hope to raise by Dec. 24. Salvation Army Lieutenant Brian Bobolo along with his wife June, who is also a lieutenant with the organization, kicked off the campaign with a brief ceremony Nov. 23 at the Estevan Shoppers Mall.
"We want to make sure you are warm and you are well this Christmas. Our doors are always open," Bobolo announced to the small crowd gathered in the mall's foyer for the presentation.
He noted that all of the money stays in the community, and the campaign they run takes no funds from what comes in through the kettles. All the money donated goes to the programs that the Salvation Army supports, like the new Warm Welcome program, which gives people who have no place to sleep a warm place to stay.
"It's a great time to be associated with the Kettle Campaign and all our donors," said Bobolo. "The Kettle Campaign is nothing without our donors, so we're grateful to everyone who comes forward to put in their dimes and their quarters and they go a long way. I'm so grateful just to receive the donations from people and to be in a position to put them to good use and see the outcome of those donations."
Bobolo added that he is just happy to be a part of something that helps lots of people in the community in a myriad of ways.
"To see the pleasure on people's faces when they receive the support from the community, it's a great feeling to know I'm a part of that in some small way."
The Salvation Army also provides funding to send local youth to camp programs. The youth who get to go, Bobolo added, are children who wouldn't otherwise get to leave the city in the summer months.
"They would not have had the opportunity to go to camp without the donations we have received through the Kettle Campaign and other donations throughout the year," he said.
Bobolo said they want to ensure that everyone gets a nice meal at Christmastime, so the food hampers are another initiative over the holidays that Kettle Campaign donations go to.
What the Salvation Army does need to keep the Kettle Campaign moving along is a good base of volunteers. Each kettle needs an attendant to keep an eye on it.
Bobolo said those who volunteer work in two-hour shifts. If there isn't a volunteer for a particular two-hour time slot, the kettle has to be brought in.
He noted most volunteers really love being a part of the campaign.
"They get to greet people that they know and wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and ring the bells. It's a fun thing to do."
Making the first donation to the campaign was Troy LeBlanc, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #60.
The Estevan Comprehensive School band ensemble, along with teacher Kyle Whitehead, provided some musical entertainment at the ceremony, with a pair of Christmas hymns, which everyone was encouraged to sing along to.
Kettles will be stationed at the Salvation Army, the Estevan Shoppers Mall and will be set up at various events throughout December, including the Huron Carole concert on Dec. 6, the Estevan Bruins game on Dec. 7 and when the Holiday Train rolls through the city on Dec. 17.
Those wishing to volunteer their time for kettle duty may call 634-2074.
