While Christmas is just around the corner, there is still plenty of work ahead for The Salvation Army to bring a special Christmas to those in need.
So far, the Church has seen 107 families register for Christmas hampers. This is up from last Christmas where about 87 families registered. In the tough economic climate, Captain Jennifer Hillier of The Salvation Army says it is in line with the kind of numbers they had expected.
“It is getting tougher, for a lot this is their first time in,” she said. “Many have been living off credit for four or five months, and now are in real need.”
Right now, they are working to fill the Christmas hampers and have found Drumheller residents are very generous in helping out their neighbours. The food drive was a great success, gifts are coming in for the hampers and next Wednesday, Q91 is having a radio-a-thon for turkey and hams.
Shane Hillier of The Salvation Army says there is still a need for items for hampers. A tough list for them to fill is teenagers and young adults. One suggestion he has heard of is gift cards for local businesses that cater to that age group.
Next week they will begin filling the hampers and packing toys.
The Salvation Army has also received strong support from volunteers for the Christmas Kettles. This year the campaign kick off was a couple days later and subsequently are finding they are a little bit behind last season’s pace for filling them. All donations to the kettles are for the operations of The Salvation Army throughout the year and all of the donations stay in the community and are used for local initiatives.
While most of the spots to man the kettles have been filled, for those interested in volunteering are urged to call The Salvation Army at 403-823-2215 and get their name on the list.
