Major Norman Hamelin, Medicine Hat Salvation Army

By Prina Atwal

Medicine Hat Salvation Army launches Christmas Kettle Campaign

Nov 25, 2022 | 10:56 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Medicine Hat Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Kettle Campaign is in full swing, and it will run until Christmas Eve.

The campaign is an opportunity for the public to donate funds to support the Salvation Army, which in return supports the community.

“The money goes towards doing our social work in the community, we do meals at the center, we have a 12-step program for our clients, we help people with other situations that they come across, we do spiritual counselling. So it’s people in the community that find themselves in a tough spot will often come to us,” says Maj. Norman Hamelin.

This time of the year, the Salvation Army is doing a Christmas Hamper Program where the Salvation Army supplies gifts for children and gift cards for families or singles to get a meal.

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Further, cash or card donations are accepted at the kettles Hamelin says Hatters can donate at “the Co-op locations, Walmart, the mall, superstore, Canadian Tire, Sobeys, Save On Foods, and Costco will be happening in December, and if you want we can put one at your house.”

He adds that volunteers are in charge of the kettles, and they need more of them.

“We are looking for bell ringers, people to stand at the kettles, particularly on the weekends, that seems to be the hardest spot to fill.”

Those interested in volunteering can contact Sherley Greenfield, Medicine Hat Salvation Army’s kettle coordinator, at 587-253-0740.

“Over the past couple of years, I had a number of people with office parties, and they’ve come to me and said, we’re not going to do a gift exchange, what do you suggest, and I said, well why don’t you take on a kettle stand, and a number of people have taken that challenge on,” says Hamelin.

The Salvation Army is hoping to see pre-pandemic level donations this year, and their goal is to raise between $106,000 and 130,000