Bells silent: Salvation Army appeals for donations, volunteers
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/12/2023 (693 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign — a fixture at Winnipeg shopping malls and big-box stores every Christmas season — is desperate for volunteers to help raise money for community programs and services.
About 70 per cent of its volunteer shifts remain unfilled, meaning some kettles cannot be put out and donations by cash, tap card or cheque are being missed.
Maj. Donald Bladen, the Salvation Army’s area commander, said it’s “crunch time,” as the organization nears 30 per cent of its $300,000 fundraising target and Christmas is just over two weeks away.
“We will be more than willing to accommodate anybody who can help us get to where we need to go,” Bladen said Friday, while as he appealed for more volunteers. “We really believe Winnipeggers will come through.”
The annual campaign raises money for year-round programs for vulnerable Winnipeggers, including emergency shelter, a food bank, clothing, toys for children and education.
If the Salvation Army fails to meet its target, a strain will be put on front-line ministries that carry out the work, said Bladen.
In the 25 years he’s been with the organization, he hasn’t seen a volunteer turnout of just 30 per cent for any Christmas kettle campaign.
It wasn’t for a lack of trying. The Salvation Army issued a call for volunteers on social media and placed advertisements in print and on radio and TV.
“I can only presume it’s just people are incredibly busy,” said Bladen.
High demand for volunteers could also be a factor, he noted. Multiple community organizations or events have reported an ongoing shortage of volunteers in recent years.
Last month, Operation Red Nose issued a similar call for the holiday season, saying it couldn’t keep up with demand on New Year’s Eve — its biggest night — last year due to a lack of volunteers.
The ride-home service said volunteer numbers had fallen since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Salvation Army cannot put out a kettle on its own. At least one volunteer must be present.
Bladen said the organization’s goal is four or five shifts per day for each of its 21 kettles. Each shift is two hours.
The charity will accept whatever people can give in terms of their time, even if it’s just one shift.
“It’s an incredible sense of accomplishment to know you’re giving to an important cause in the community,” said Bladen.
Kettles are set up in shopping malls and stores across the city. To volunteer for shifts or make a financial donation to the campaign, visit winnipegkettles.ca.