By Angie Rolheiser

Community continues to support Salvation Army Christmas hamper campaign

Dec 13, 2018 | 1:00 PM

Just a week and a half away from Christmas and donations continue to pour in for the Salvation Army’s Christmas hamper campaign. 

On Sunday, the Melfort Rotary Carol festival brought in over $6,000 for the campaign that will help over 200 families in the area this holiday season.
 
Captain Rick Robins said they will benefit from a few more events this weekend including the Melfort Mustangs teddy bear toss at their home game against the Humboldt Broncos on Saturday.
 
“Tim Hortons is the sponsor of the game and I have chatted with the manager and we are trying to plan something special,” Robins said. “So come to the game and find out.”
 
The teddy bear toss follows the first Mustangs goal of the game that begins at 7:30 p.m.
 
Sunday’s skate with Santa event at the Northern Lights Palace is also aiming to raise funds and donations for the program.
 
From noon until 1:30 p.m. Santa and his elves will be joined by Elsa and Olaf from Frozen and Spider-Man and Superman on the ice at the NLP.
 
Admission is free but a donation for the Salvation Army is encouraged.
 
Robins said that their annual campaign is going fairly well so far.
 
“With everything that has come in right now we are right around half-way to our goal with a week and a half left in the campaign so hoping that the community will come together over the last bit and help us out,” Robins said.
 
The goal for this year is $60,000.
 
On Thursday morning, the staff of 105CJVR and CK750 contributed to the campaign with $420 cash as well as gift donations that were collected at the office Christmas party.
 
“Instead of having a gift exchange amongst ourselves, we decided it would be nice to donate gifts to the Salvation Army Christmas Hamper Campaign,” station manager Linda Rheaume said. “It was quite successful and would be a great idea for other companies to do also.”
 
Packing of Christmas hampers begins next week and are expected to be delivered on Dec. 19, 20 and 21 to the Nipawin, Melfort, and Tisdale areas.
 
Robins reminds the public that they are also in need of volunteers on Christmas Eve to help set up and prepare food for Christmas Day dinner. Volunteers are also needed for serving food on Christmas Day.
 
Call the Salvation Army at 752-3525 to sign up.