Salvation Army 2024 Christmas Kettle Campaign begins
By Joan Janzen
Salvation Army’s 2024 Christmas Kettle Campaign officially began on Thursday morning, November 21st, at the Kindersley Walmart. Captain Derek Kerr from Saskatoon was present for the start of Kindersley’s campaign, along with kettle coordinator Jodi Geddes and councillor Warren Schafer.
L-R: Town Councilor Warren Schafer, Captain Derek Kerr from Saskatoon and Jodi Geddes, Christmas Kettle Coordinator, introduced ‘tap to give’ at the start of the Salvation Army’s 2024 Christmas Kettle Campaign at the Kindersley Walmart.
This year, the Salvation Army has implemented ‘tap to give’ for the convenience of shoppers. It’s a necessary addition, as people no longer carry cash as frequently as in the past. “We’re getting on to technology,” Derek said. Derek can log in to the program in Saskatoon and see what donations have been received in Kindersley. Last year, the Salvation Army received $5,000 in donations from Kindersley.
“We are seeing an increase in the demand for our services,” he observed. “Some people just need extra help at Christmas.”
Derek and his wife are both Salvation Army officers. “We love what we do. We’ve been there and know what you’re going through,” he said. While living in Ontario, Derek and his wife found themselves in need fourteen years ago. A combination of ill health and unemployment caused the couple to need help to make ends meet.
Too embarrassed to ask for help in person, Derek wrote the Salvation Army in Hamilton explaining his circumstances. Shortly afterward, they began receiving monthly hampers until they could get back on their feet.
At that time, they began volunteering for the organization, which led to their employment by the Salvation Army. Eventually, they both became officers.
A kettle will be stationed at Walmart from Thursday to Saturday between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. until December 21st. As usual, volunteers, organizations, and Salvation Army employees will fill the time slots. Anyone interested in volunteering for a one—or two-hour time slot can contact Jodi Geddes at 306-460-4740.
So be sure to extend a friendly greeting to the volunteers at the Kettle Campaign and ‘tap to give’ if you can. Together, we help more people than we could ever imagine.
“We’ve had a long presence in Kindersley, and we want to keep it going. We love this community,” Derek said.