(Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

Caring community

Melfort Salvation Army getting close to kettle campaign goal, Christmas hampers distributed

Dec 23, 2020 | 2:00 PM

The community has once again come through to make Christmas brighter for others in the community.

After nearly two months of collecting toys and donations, the Melfort Salvation Army has distributed Christmas hampers to 170 families in need in the area as well as over 400 sunshine bags for those in senior homes and hospitals.

Captain Rick Robins told northeastNOW the focus is now on the kettle campaign that wraps up on Christmas Eve.

“Currently, we are at about 85 per cent of our goal so another 15 per cent to raise to get there,” Robins said. “We are pretty excited that we are getting close and hopefully we get there by the end of the campaign.”

Just $10,000 is needed to reach the campaign goal that helps to fund programs and services provided by the Salvation Army throughout the entire year.

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An online auction that was recently held through Bruce Schapansky Auctioneers brought in $6,300 which also went to help out with the kettle campaign.

The Salvation Army is also now preparing for its Christmas Day take-out dinner that has over 100 people registered for meals.

“We will be packaging them up and getting them ready to go and we are excited to still be able to provide that,” Robins said.

Registrations for the Christmas dinner are being taken by the end of the day today by calling 306-752-3525 to get on the list.

Almost all of the items needed for the dinner were also donated this year which is another great example of the community providing for the community.

“When the community bands together to feed the people of the community, that is the definition of community,” Robins said.

The examples of kindness and generosity this season has the Salvation Army staff feeling hopeful for the new year according to Robins.

“It’s a new start and gives us an opportunity to be a blessing to someone else,” Robins said. “In the midst of all of the chaos and all that has happened in 2020, what a great time to take it and change it and make it into an opportunity of joy and hope.”

The one message that Robins felt was important to share was to remind everyone to share a smile instead of a frustration as we are all struggling together.

“There are a lot of different things that we all need to do right now but we can take joy in it and share joy instead of being angry,” Robins said.

The Salvation Army kettles for Melfort and Tisdale will be set up until 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser