The kickoff for the Salvation Army’s 2017 Christmas Kettle Campaign begins on Nov. 17, and organizers are looking for volunteers to help out.
Don Bazinet, local kettle coordinator, said there will be seven kettles spread throughout the Cowichan Valley this year
He said this year’s goal is to raise $90,000 that will help pay for more than 600 Christmas hampers and toys for the needy in the region, with the rest going toward the Salvation Army’s family services programs in the Valley that run all year.
Organizers hope this year’s kettle campaign will be just as successful, or more so, than last year, in which $95,000 was raised.
Bazinet said there will be 730 two-hour shifts to fill at the seven kettle locations this year, that run between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and he still has 340 shifts to fill.
“Volunteers can bring their kids and grandkids to help out at the kettles of they want,” he said.
“We have Cowichan Capitals and the Bulldogs football club involved again this year, and we will have a high school basketball team as well. Students should know that they can earn school credits for volunteering by helping out with the kettles.”
While the campaign kicks off on Nov. 17, the kettles will only be operating on weekends until the final two weeks before Christmas.
The shifts don’t require much more than just watching the kettles and saying hello to passersby, and all the setup and takedown is taken care of.
To volunteer to help out with this year’s kettle campaign, call 250-732-8988.
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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