Salvation Army continues busy Christmas Campaign season
The Salvation Army in Swift Current is busily working in the community and behind the scenes during their
Their efforts were saluted at the Swift Current City Council meeting on December 3 when Council proclaimed the week of December 2 to 8 as Salvation Army Week - Giving Hope Today.
Major Don Grad from the Swift Current Salvation Army said they are now right in the midst of their most hectic time of year.
“From here to the next couple of weeks is a lot of behind the scenes activity. Getting things ready, getting the food ready to be packed. We have an amazing group of volunteers that help us with that.”
As of Monday, he noted the Salvation Army had collected $51,807 during their Christmas Campaign, raising 24 per cent of their $220,000 campaign goal.
“It’s an exciting point to be at this point in our campaign. These funds help our Food Bank all year long as well as the Christmas season.”
He said this is an average start to their campaign, but they do have some larger donations upcoming and as the month goes on their Kettle Campaign builds momentum.
“To be at 24 per cent right now, it feels pretty good. Swift Current is a community that gives us so much support.”
Major Grad noted that they do need assistance in finding volunteers to work at the campaign kettles during the rest of the month. If anyone would like to volunteer for a two hour shift, they can call Arlene at 306-741-1714, or leave your name at the Salvation Army office at 306-778-0515.
He reported that the Teddy Bear Toss at the December 1 Swift Current Broncos game resulted in a donation of 725 teddy bears, along with 435 hats, toques and mitts.
In addition to being gifts for children during Christmas, some of these items delivered to The Meadows, some are distributed during their Christmas meal. Some of the teddy bears and toques and mitts which are not distributed at Christmas will be shared with the Southwest Newcomer Welcome Centre.
Major Grad was also excited for the arrival of the CP Holiday Train tonight, the first time in over a decade the train has made an evening appearance in Swift Current. The train arrives at 8:15 p.m. and a 30 minute concert featuring Terri Clark, Sierra Noble and Kelly Prescott will begin at 8:30 p.m. Visitors viewing the train are invited to bring a non-perishable food donation for the Food Bank.
“This is the big time of year for our fundraising, but of course year round Swift Current is very generous,” he added while saying thank you to the community.