Salvation Army needs donations
The Salvation Army officials have only eight days left to raise $30,000 in Glace Bay through the red kettle campaign.
“We are way behind,” said Sgt.-Maj. Fred Courtney, campaign co-ordinator.
“We have to raise $30,000 by Dec. 23.”
Courtney said normally kettle donations are accepted through Christmas Eve but this year Dec. 24 lands on a Sunday, a day the Salvation Army doesn’t seek donations.
“Christmas Eve is usually a real good day to raise money so it’s hard losing it.”
People come to the Salvation Army in Glace Bay for help almost every day, Courtney said.
Courtney said last year at this time the Salvation Army was also down $30,000, but the public responded to a last minute appeal.
“Knowing the need, the people came through last year,” he said. “I think they will come through for us this year too if they know that we’re down.”
Courtney said the money raised goes to help 400-500 people at Christmas and for emergency situations in the community throughout the year.
“It impacts how much we can do for someone because when this money is gone there’s nothing left,” he said.
There are six kettles in the Glace Bay area including at the Glace Bay liquor store, Sobeys, Atlantic Superstore, Foodland, Sterling Mall and Harbax.
Earlier this week, the New Waterford Salvation Army also reported difficulties, having raised less than $10,000 of the $25,000 goal.
The kettles in New Waterford are set up in Sobeys, the New Waterford liquor store and Pharmasave.