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Salvation Army: Christmas Kettles out on Coast

The kettles are out on the Sunshine Coast, with the goal of raising $100,000. The kick-off took place on Friday, Nov.
salvation army
From left: Caron Young, Bernice Reid (Mrs. Shieldy), NDP MLA Nicholas Simons, Fred Zalm, and Gibsons Mayor Bill Beamish.

The kettles are out on the Sunshine Coast, with the goal of raising $100,000. The kick-off took place on Friday, Nov. 16 at Sunnycrest Mall in Gibsons, with Powell-River Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons and Gibsons Mayor Bill Beamish in attendance to mark the occasion.

“The Salvation Army is a very important organization in our community,” said Beamish at the fundraising commencement. “I have my four shifts set and I hope other people will come out and take some shifts as well at the kettle. I look forward to it,” he said.

All money raised through donations to the Christmas kettles stays on the Sunshine Coast and is used towards programs such as the Harvest of Hope Food Bank and to provide hot meals and vouchers for clothing and household items.

“Every little bit helps, if it’s a quarter, if it’s a dime,” said Fred Zalm, who for 20 years has served as a kettle volunteer in North Vancouver and in Gibsons. He said the chance to communicate the impact of Salvation Army on the community is what brings him back. “I was born poor, I know what it’s like.”

Those interested in volunteering can learn more and sign up at sunshinecoastsa.ca/kettles