A sure sign of Christmas is the bright red Salvation Army kettle, and Major Wilson Sutton says folks in Lunenburg County are always “very generous” about dropping in donations.
“They trust the Salvation Army and understand there’s a real need at this time of year,” says Sutton. “A lot of people are out of work, especially seasonal workers, and there’s also the ‘working poor’ who need help because of a low income.”
Sutton says their Christmas kettle campaign helps raise money to support their Christmas Hamper program. Each hamper includes a turkey with all of the fixings for a big dinner, groceries to last about two weeks during the holidays, ands presents for the children. They’re scheduled to be distributed on Dec. 19.
He says this year’s goal is to collect $70,000 to help local families. Right now, there are about 150 registered families — up from 145 last year — as well as 55 registered singles and couples without children.
“This year, we have seven Christmas kettles out in the Bridgewater area,” says Sutton. “For the last week or so before Christmas, the Lions Club in New Germany will also have a couple of kettles up there to help us, run by volunteers in the community.”
He’s also hoping most folks will drop in a donation when they pass by. Donations can also be mailed in for those interested in getting a tax receipt.
People who’d like to purchase a gift for a local child in need can pick a tag off the Christmas tree at either Gow’s Home Hardware (450 LaHave St.) or the Bridgewater Mall (421 LaHave St.). Last year, Sutton says the Salvation Army in Bridgewater was able to help more than 300 children.
Sutton says people tend to enjoy their shifts with the Christmas kettle because it puts them in a festive frame of mind.
“People say they like getting to say hello to people they know, and have a chance to chat a bit,” says Sutton. “It also gives them a wonderful blessing.”
But it isn’t just food and toys that need to be collected at this time of year. Charitable organizations across the South Shore are counting on the generosity of residents to keep their programs afloat.
Second Story Women’s Centre is a not-for-profit organization that services women, girls and gender-oppressed people throughout Lunenburg and Queens counties. Their programs include one-on-one counselling, mentorship groups, and school education pieces on consent, body image, self-esteem and healthy relationships.
Executive director Rhonda Lemire says Second Story has 30-40 volunteers and they “couldn’t do it without them,” but they also rely on monetary donations from the community in order to keep the doors open.
She says people can choose to make donations to Second Story in someone’s name in lieu of buying them a physical gift, and Second Story will mail the recipient a card (with a tax receipt, for donations of more than $20).
They’re also looking to stock their new toiletries cupboard with donations of unused soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and other hygiene products. Period products like pads, tampons and liners are also in demand, especially for girls in junior high and high school who don’t have access to them.
“Every little bit helps.”
