Call the Salvation Army main office at 543-3656 or stop by at 520 W. 13th St. and let them know when and where you would like to volunteer.
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“The most hard part is finding enough volunteers to fill all the shifts”, said Debbie Lafleur, volunteer coordinator, Mississippi, Rideau Lakes. There is no charge to clients who come to pick out toys, but it allows them to choose a toy that their child may want.
The first tree went up Monday at the Valley Mall. Other trees are located at Wall’s on South Gloster Street and Marvin’s Building Materials. New Albany’s Wall’s and Walmart will also have trees. “And then all their sizes are here, a gift wish and a child need”. Cooking classes are offered once per month to clients from Lo-Se-Ca. “In November people don’t think about volunteering yet, but we have 10 days this month where we need help in Kelowna and West Kelowna”. The gifts need to be dropped off by December 11 at the Salvation Army or the location where the donors signed up.
Last Christmas, the Salvation Army in the Central Okanagan distributed over 500 Christmas food hampers and brought toys to 900 children through the toy program. “Subway restaurants in the Triad area started working with the Angel Tree program a few years ago, and our involvement has grown with local owners across the state now supporting the effort”.
In 2014, the red kettle kickoff raised $164,000 and in 2015 they’re hoping the total will be higher.
“Every time you contribute to this Christmas Kettle drive you are supporting a worthy cause”.
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People are inspired to contribute “when you show them real stories of real people being served”, Harvey said.
