A week of Christmas spirit has helped push the Salvation Army's annual kettle campaign closer to levels which will help the organization offset the costs associated with supplying hampers to less fortunate family's in Yorkton and area this year.
Salvation Army Envoy Roy Bladen said a week ago the fundraising campaign had raised only $28,000, far short of the $80,000 goal, but the past week has at least put the goal back in sight."It's just over $62,000," he said this Monday morning. "So it has picked up substantially."
Bladen said he is not sure the $80,000 is attainable, but added, "If we hit $70,000 I'll be quite happy."The week's donations were bolstered by local businesses stepping forward.
"Corporate donations really started to pick up in the last week," said Bladen, adding he has to thank all those who have donated this year. " Without them we wouldn't be here."
And, it's not too late to help the Salvation hit their targets. Their kettles will be operating until about 3 p.m. Christmas Eve. The traditional kettles for cash donations are located at the Liquor Board Store, Parkland Mall, Superstore and Wal-Mart.
As for this year's Christmas hampers they were delivered Thursday, said Bladen, who noted they had 225 go out this year. A few went out later, but Bladen said the cut-off was Monday morning unless someone came forward in an emergency need situation.
Other Christmas notesWhile people are thinking about helping the Salvation Army achieve its fundraising target, they should also plan ahead as most businesses in the city are closed Christmas Day.
Randy Goulden, with Tourism Yorkton noted that among their members, those dealing with the traveling public, few are open on the 25th. The only restaurant members planning to be open are Robin's Donuts from 7 a.m., to 9 p.m., while service stations open are Kahkewistahaw Gas and Convenience Store and Petro Can at the Junction Highways 9 & 16. Both are open 24-hours.
