Officials with the local Salvation Army are hopeful the next few days will prove fruitful as it wraps up its annual Christmas Kettle Campaign.

The campaign, which sees volunteers collect donations in red kettles for the Salvation Army at local shops, acts as the major fundraiser for the organization through the years.

Through the campaign, money is raised for the local Salvation Army Centre of Hope shelter and meal service.

As of Monday, a total of $45,834 had been raised – a little over half toward this year’s goal set at $80,000.

It’s difficult to compare the total so far with the amount raised by the same time last year, executive director Ian McKenzie said Tuesday.

It was at this time last year that two major cheques came in that toppled the $78,000 goal. In the end, more than $100,000 was raised in 2017.

Those major donations are not typical; thus the local campaign goal was set to $80,000 for 2018.

McKenzie said that the current donations are probably down about $20,000 compared to about the same time in years previous to 2017.

“We do hope that we see that pick up,” he said.

He noted that one of the biggest challenges this year has been finding volunteers willing to be on hand for kettle shifts during the campaign.

That meant the kettles have not been out as often as they would otherwise be.

“That has hit us in the early (part of the campaign),” McKenzie said.

A number of previous volunteers are seniors, many of whom, for a variety of health reasons, aren’t able to or are limited in their ability to volunteer.

That’s left the Salvation Army working to recruit new volunteers while also coming up with schedules for the two-hour kettle shifts to be covered.

This year, the local campaign is also trying out a debit option for those wanting to make their donation by debit or credit card.

There are two machines for such payments, with one making its way to various kettles over the campaign and another stationed at Wykes’ Your Independent Grocer kettle for the duration of the effort to Dec. 24.

While the debit option has seen some use by contributers, McKenzie said, it does not seem to be having a major impact, at least this year.

“It takes a little while to adjust (to something new),” McKenzie said.

As the annual campaign heads into its final days, officials are hopeful residents will get their donations in and, if they have any time available, consider assisting with a kettle shift.

Anyone interested in helping out the kettle campaign can do so by calling 335-0571.

Along with kettles available at local stores, donations can also be made online at FillTheKettle.com

As the kettle campaign continues, the local Salvation Army is also getting ready for its annual Christmas dinner set for the early afternoon of Dec. 25.

McKenzie said there is a group of volunteers lined up to help out in the set-up, serving and clean-up of the event.

Salvation Army officials are anticipating approximately 200 people for the feast, though he acknowledged “you’re never 100 per cent sure,” as anyone in the community is welcome to come to the dinner.