Salvation Army Launch Christmas Campaign
Janelle Colbourne has only been in Cumberland County a few months, but she has already seen the generosity of people reaching out to help those in their time of need.
Together with some invited guests, Lieutenant Colbourne kicked off the Springhill Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign with a goal of raising $50,000.
Colbourne says, “It’s such an important campaign in that all the money we raise stays here in Cumberland County and enables us to help people throughout the year.” The lieutenant added, “We know it’s going to be more difficult this year because times are a lot tougher than they’ve been in a long time. We’ll be happy and appreciative of whatever amount we raise.”
The Salvation Army has seen the demand for its services increase in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic shut down much of the economy in 2020 and 2021 and while things opened up again in 2022, people continued to struggle.
Colbourne says, “We’ve been very busy. It’s hard for me to compare because I’ve only been here a short time, but from what I’ve been told, the food bank in Springhill is busier than it’s ever been.” She noted, “It’s almost as soon as we get food donations, they’re gone. There are a lot of families who’ve come to us for help that we haven’t seen in a while.”
Kettles are located at Foodland in Springhill, as well as at the Atlantic Superstore, Giant Tiger, and Walmart in Amherst. The kettles are staffed exclusively by volunteers.
Cumberland Mayor Murray Scott says, “Salvation Army has a long tradition in our community. I think back to the mine disasters in Springhill and how they were there helping people and providing food when needed. Their work in the community has continued since then and I’m hopeful people will support this campaign.”
Scott said the money raised by the kettle campaign will help a lot of families at Christmas, but the assistance provided by the Salvation Army from the fundraiser is year-round.
Scott added, “They do so much for our county, but they can’t do it alone. I’m encouraging the people of Cumberland County to give what they can to support this important campaign that really helps people who really need assistance.”
Anyone wishing to assist the campaign, can contact the Salvation Army at 902-597-3954.
The 133rd Christmas Kettle Campaign — nationally — hopes to support 2.7 million vulnerable individuals across 400 communities throughout Canada.
The economic challenges posed by ongoing and rising prices have led to a 31 per cent increase in new households seeking assistance from the Salvation Army’s community services this year.
The Army assists more than 180,000 across the Maritimes. Along with support for food banks, the campaign raises money for things like children’s breakfast programs, housing supports, substance-abuse recovery, emergency disaster relief, and Christmas support.
The photo by Darrell Cole shows Mayor Murray Scott, left, Mayor Murray Scott with Foodland frontend manager Melody Mills, MLA Tory Rushton, Councillors Mark Joseph and Angel McCormick, Lt. Janelle Colbourne and Bev Sharpe from the Salvation Army, and Foodland manager Ashley Redmond.
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