Photo by Vince Fedoroff
’TIS THE SEASON – The Salvation Army band provided Christmas music at last month’s Spruce Bog Fair. A kettle is seen in the foreground.
Salvation Army a long way from reaching $78,000 goal
With just two weeks to go in its annual Christmas Kettle Campaign,
With just two weeks to go in its annual Christmas Kettle Campaign, the Salvation Army in Whitehorse is falling behind on its $78,000 fundraising goal.
Kettle donations to date are at $41,000.
That’s down about $6,000 from this time last year.
“It’s been tougher than we thought to keep on target to reach our goal this year,” Ian McKenzie, the executive director at the Centre of Hope, said Tuesday.
“We know the people of Whitehorse are generous and supportive of their community, and we hope donations pick up the closer we get to Christmas.”
Nearly 30 per cent of kettle volunteer shifts for the next two weeks still need volunteers.
All kettles require a volunteer to accept donations, and without enough volunteers, fundraising efforts will continue to fall.
“For those not able to help financially this Christmas, volunteering is a great way to give back as well,” added McKenzie.
Anyone able to volunteer for a kettle shift is asked to call Nicole at 335-0571.
All funds raised by the kettles’ volunteers stay in Whitehorse to help run the Salvation Army’s new Centre of Hope programs offered year-round to those struggling in the community.
From emergency shelter beds to hot meals at the centre, kettle donations make an impact on this community, McKenzie said.
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882.
It has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country.
“The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and every day in 400 communities across Canada and in 128 countries around the world,” the organization said in a statement.
The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction.
“When you give to the Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and vulnerable people in your community,” the Army said.
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Comments (11)
Up 5 Down 0
My Opinion on Dec 18, 2017 at 2:58 am
I have been telling the people at the Kettles that it is now an NGO and should search for their funding accordingly and that I will not be supporting them anymore.
I guess no one wants to volunteer on the Kettles for the same reason. Give your money to outfits that ask for nothing and have no overhead like the Lions, Rotary and the like. Not United way they are in the Government pocket as well.
Up 5 Down 0
Garrioch's Reliable Source on Dec 17, 2017 at 10:02 am
PFFFFT - my taxes helped pay for their new overblown fortress
I've certainly made my donation for the next 20 years
Up 9 Down 0
drum on Dec 15, 2017 at 7:00 pm
We, the taxpayers built the new fancy building and YG have committed our taxpayers money to run all running costs for the next three years. They get huge amounts of food from box stores in this town. Who does he think he is saying that Yukoners are not supporting the Salvation Army. For 50 years I supported them. Not any more. They have a huge fancy building that we built that only has 25 emergency beds - they have councelors and social workers to help their clients - guess who is paying for that - the TAXPayers not the Salvation Army.
Up 3 Down 2
Lost In the Yukon on Dec 14, 2017 at 5:31 pm
In one respect you can't blame the Army for all the money the Yukon Government has dumped on them. YG was more than happy to funnel as much as the could to try and say they were responding to the Beaton Allen Report. It all started with a DM at HSS who turned his back on a group who proposed a much cheaper option that would have been up and running years ago for a fraction of the money.
Up 8 Down 3
Mr Wonder Why on Dec 14, 2017 at 10:44 am
It could also be their lack of support for the LGBT community as well. Being a religious organization they are using the 'teachings of Christ' as a reason to isolate and judge.
Up 10 Down 2
Steven on Dec 13, 2017 at 7:55 pm
If the Salvation Army ever gets over their draconian notions about non-straight people, I might consider donating to them. Until then, I won't be funding an organization that has, so far, actively participated in the detriment of gay people. They say they are changing tho: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/12/13/salvation-army-says-theyve-evolved-on-lgbt-rights-but-were-not-too-sure-about-that/
Up 10 Down 3
Duke on Dec 13, 2017 at 7:26 pm
Should have kept the Thrift Store open. I don't know how you can lose money when everything is donated. I would have liked to see the books on this one.
Up 6 Down 1
Juniper Jackson on Dec 13, 2017 at 7:19 pm
Not only do i agree with "past contributor", but I managed to squeeze out a few dollars here and there for other charities, i have a ticket or two for every fund raiser that has a ticket selling table at the stores.. I know that more and more tax dollars will keep that big Sally Ann afloat, with out my contribution.. and really..i am so tapped out right now.
Up 10 Down 1
Also a past contributer on Dec 13, 2017 at 6:04 pm
Ever since the SA built their self aggrandizing edifice on the taxpayer's dime and closed the Thrift Store, it obvious they don't need anything from us little people who used the Thrift Store on a regular basis. No more from me till they re-open a Thrift Store.
Up 12 Down 1
YXY on Dec 13, 2017 at 5:19 pm
So, this placed cost what,$20,000,000 to build? $2,000,000 a year to operate, and they are looking to fundraise $78,000?
Wouldn’t that money have been better spent by building a center at say $10,000,000 and using the rest to actually help people? As per usual, charitable orgs tend to become more top heavy.
Up 12 Down 1
Past Contributor on Dec 13, 2017 at 3:32 pm
I think their big fancy new building housing what appears to be Whitehorse's newest restaurant may have given people the impression Sally Ann is doing just fine. I know that has changed my outlook on what Sally Ann is all about, to me it has become just one more taxpayer funded NGO. My $2 in a kettle doesn't seem all that important compared to millions of dollars poured into the place the last few years.