Christmas kettle volunteer Bill mans his station at Nanaimo's North Town Centre on Thursday, Nov. 5, one of his 15 shifts as bell ringer for the 2024 Salvation Army Christmas Kettle campaign. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

season of giving

Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign in full swing

Dec 5, 2024 | 12:02 PM

NANAIMO — The holiday season means it’s time for the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Kettle Campaign, spreading cheer and raising money for their local programs.

The kettles have been set up around the region since late November, with volunteer bell ringers on shift until Christmas Eve, with at least 15 locations set up in Nanaimo alone at major businesses and malls accepting donations.

Local kettle campaign coordinator Tammie O’Rourke said every dollar raised goes back into their local programs to help support those in need.

“It’s very significant…I believe it is one of the biggest fundraisers for the year. Our target for this year is $280,000.”

Kettle shifts start at 9 a.m. and go until 7 p.m. in the month of December, with kettles being set up across the Harbour City, all the way into Ladysmith.

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Cash donations are accepted, and O’Rourke said tap options are also available for a quick way to donate digitally.

“There’s a tap option, so on all of our kettle stands we have what we call ‘tip-taps’ and they have a little tap for $5, $10, and $20 donations, and it actually is really easy to use.”

She said volunteers to man the kettles are also needed, with only around 65 per cent of their shifts currently spoken for.

Signing up to volunteer is easy to do, and O’Rourke said they’ll be provided with all the information they need.

“Maning the shift is easy, you just stand there, ring some bells if you’re at a location that allows them, and wear a smile and one of our vests, and it’s as easy as that.”

For more information on how to volunteer, you can call the Nanaimo Salvation Army at 250-740-1004, or 250-716-6595, or find them on Facebook.

For those who want to volunteer in the Oceanside region, you can contact the Mt. Arrowsmith Salvation Army by phone at 250-905-0319, or email mountarrowsmith.kettles@salvationarmy.ca.

Money from the campaign also helps contribute to other local groups, including the Christmas hampers from Loaves and Fishes food bank.

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