With the month of December drawing nigh, Salvation Army Nanaimo is hoping volunteer interest heats up for its Christmas Kettles campaign.
Donation kettles are set up at numerous locations in Nanaimo and Ladysmith, said Tammie O'Rourke, Kettle coordinator, and not all locations have volunteers at the helm. This year's target is $280,000.
The campaign runs till Dec. 24, with 16 locations, from north Nanaimo all the way to Ladysmith, accepting donations every day except Sunday. There are four shifts a day in November and five a day in December. Shifts last two hours and newcomers will be informed of requirements, proper etiquette, how to run the tap-card machines, but otherwise all they will need to do is wear an apron, smile and dress warmly if at an outdoor location.
In addition, volunteers can dress up in holiday attire and dependent on location, may be able to ring bells and play music.
Proceeds go to numerous Salvation Army efforts, including the Pathway of Hope program, intended to keep people in the home they have so they don't end up living on the street.
"We take individual clients, one at a time, and we work our magic," said Maj. Yvonne Borrows, pastor and chaplain. "We wrap them around with every service we can think of that will help support them to make better decisions in their life. We've just hired a new caseworker for that, and so it's brand new."
Donors will able to give money via cash or tap-cards, with options of $5, $10 and $20. People can also give at the Salvation Army's website, at http://nanaimosa.ca/.
To volunteer, call O'Rourke or Evelyn Smith, assistant co-ordinator, at 250-740-1004 or e-mail nanaimocc.kettles@salvationarmy.ca.
