THUNDER BAY – The Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Appeal Kick-off Weekend started today with a launch at Intercity Shopping Centre.
Helping to launch the campaign are representatives from Canadian Tire, James Iannetti, and Logan Hebert, and Pop’s Kettle Corn, Kevin Laidler, Suzie Byerley, and Michael Lemesani, who have had a year-long initiative “From Our Kettle to Your Kettle”. For every bag of Pop’s Kettle Corn sold at participating Canadian Tire Stores, Pop’s Kettle Corn and Canadian Tire will each contribute 50 cents to the local Salvation Army Kettle campaign. To date, the local promotion has raised $7,772 towards this year’s Kettle campaign. A total of over $12,000 has been raised for the Thunder Bay Kettle campaign since it started two years ago
Mayor Keith Hobbs helped to kick-off the campaign. Margaret Anderson with the Eaton’s Employee Reunion gave a $500 donation towards the campaign. The Thunder Bay Real Estate Board vice president, Diane Erickson and Lakehead University Thunderwolves, Daniel Del Paggio also joined in celebrating the beginning of the campaign.
Jessie Mitchell, visiting from Nova Scotia, is celebrating her 90th birthday today supporting the kettle campaign. She was recognized for 70 years of volunteering at the kettles.
The goal this year is a challenging $200,000 to fund our Community Programs here in Thunder Bay. Last year, we were thankful to surpass the objective with over $220,000 raised in the Kettle campaign.
Today, members of the Thunder Bay Real Estate Board are staffing the Kettles at Intercity Shopping Centre and Superstore. The Lakehead University Varsity Teams will be at Walmart County Fair Mall and Grandview Mall. There might be surprise appearances of Wolfie. The Chronicle Journal is at Walmart Memorial.
The Kick-off Weekend continues tomorrow with many community leaders and celebrities staffing these five kettle locations. Personalities include Bill Mauro, Dick Spooner, Lorraine, Rick & Sarah Lang, Kelly Mallon, Jim Madder, Keri Marshall, Joe Virdiramo, Dick Waddington, Gary Cooper, Larry Hebert, Ken Boshcoff, Deborah Massaro, Jack Masters, Andrew Foulds, Ron Oinonen, and Harvey Yesno. They invite the public to visit them at the kettles tomorrow.
On Saturday, the Kick-off weekend will feature the Odd Fellows at Intercity Shopping Centre, Lions Club of Thunder Bay at Walmart County Fair, Ed Schmidke at Grandview Mall, and a host of our dedicated volunteers.
These funds will be used not just during the Christmas season but also throughout the year to assist the marginalized in our community. At Christmas, assistance given includes food, toys, and gifts for the families. Kettle funds also help to provide something special for Christmas to all those who must turn to the Mobile Nightly Feeding Program (Soup Van) for their meals so that they know that they are not forgotten. Throughout the year, the funds will ensure that the Soup Van) is able to go out every night, we are able to respond to disaster situations, enables our Community & Family Services to offer our Red Cap Anger Management Program to schools, operate a breakfast program, and continue providing nourishment and support through our food bank. We’ve also expanded our programming into the south end, with an English Cafe for new Canadians and a Parents & Tots program operating out of the church on Victoria Avenue East.
“They say that you can tell what a community is like by how they treat those less fortunate – I would say Thunder Bay is a great community! Thanks in advance for supporting us and those we serve,” said Major Lori Mitchell, Executive Director of The Salvation Army Community & Residential Services.
Kettles are located at Intercity Shopping Centre, Real Canadian Superstore, Grandview Mall, Walmart – Memorial Ave., Walmart – County Fair Mall, Walmart – Arthur St. Marketplace from November 16– December 23 and the LCBO’s at Arthur St., Dawson Rd., and Thunder Centre from December 1 – 23.
The kettles are fully staffed by volunteers from service clubs and associations, sports teams, school groups, churches, businesses, and individuals who take time out of their busy schedules to help those in need. Last year, over 880 volunteers put in 2,355 hours at the Kettles. Volunteers are always needed and anyone interested should call 345-6492 to help.
More information about our local services can be found at www.satbcars.com. Supporters can host their own Kettle and collect donations online or make a donation through the Thunder Bay online kettle at www.fillthekettle.com. Alternatively, donations can be made by calling 345-6492.
The Kettle Campaign raises money to support the social services programs that work to restore hope and dignity for vulnerable individuals in Thunder Bay during the Christmas season and throughout the year.
More information about our local services can be found at www.satbcars.com. Supporters can host their own Kettle and collect donations online or make a donation through the Thunder Bay on-line kettle at: www.fillthekettle.com. Alternatively, donations can be made by calling 345-6492.
The Kettle Campaign raises money to support the social services programs that work to restore hope and dignity for vulnerable individuals in Thunder Bay during the Christmas season and throughout the year.