120623 - Karikoga Bamhare has been a Salvation Army kettle volunteer for 23 years. Bamhare says he started volunteering when he moved to Medicine Hat and does it to "give back to the community." The Salvation Army is accepting donations at 13 kettle locations throughout the month. NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Individuals, sports teams, families and groups are encouraged to spread some Holiday cheer this season through a donation of time, as the Salvation Army looks to fill vacant volunteer spots throughout Medicine Hat for its Christmas Kettle campaign, especially during the afternoon.
Locally, the annual campaign helps the Salvation Army provide daily meals at its Community Resource Centre, as well as support its annual operating budget. As well, funds raised are used to help individuals pay emergency utility bills and provide warm clothing, including winter coats.
“As the cost of living goes up, not always do wages go up for the average person,” says Shirley Greenfield, kettle co-ordinator. “That makes living much, much, much more difficult.”
Volunteer shifts are two hours at one of the 12 kettle locations set up at retail locations across the city, and requires volunteers to bring nothing more a smile and some Holiday joy to spread to others.
“All the volunteers have to do is sit or stand, ring the bell, greet people with the smile that they normally have anyways and wish them a Merry Christmas and thank them for their donations,” explains Greenfield. “They don’t need to worry about the kettle, they don’t need to worry about the tip tap machine, they just come and do their thing at the kettle and simply leave when their turn is over.”
Greenfield says currently around half the volunteer positions have been filled but the Salvation Army is seeking volunteers to fill vacant positions, with several between 2 and 8 p.m. daily.
“Sports teams love to come out because it gives them recognition as well as helping us, so it’s a win-win. It’s wonderful to have families because it teaches children all about volunteering and what a good thing it does for the people in our community, and it gives them family time with something quality to do during that time.”
Kettle locations can be found in large retail locations including Superstore, Walmart, Co-op, Costco, Canadian Tire, London Drug, Safeway and FreshCo., as well as the Medicine Hat Mall.
“(Volunteers) often request the area of the city that they would like to go to, and if I have space on the date they would like to go out, it’s certainly their’s,” says Greenfield.
The campaign runs until noon Dec. 24. Families, groups and individuals interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact Greenfield at 587-253-0740.
This year the Salvation Army says it’s helped more than 3.2 million Canadians by providing meals, clothing and accommodations, as well as making hospital visits, providing rescue, suicide prevention and immigrant and refugee services.
In Medicine Hat, the Salvation Army will be providing annual Christmas hampers to families in need, as well as hosting its annual free turkey dinner on Christmas Day.
