Momentum continues to build for the Swift Current Salvation Army as their Christmas Campaign and seasonal outreach shifts into high gear.
On Monday night, Swift Current City Council proclaimed the week of December 3 to 9 as Salvation Army Week – Giving Hope Today, helping provide additional momentum to their campaign efforts.
Swift Current Salvation Army Major Don Grad noted that as of Monday, their Christmas Campaign had raised $48,000 of their $215,000 campaign goal.
“Our next three weeks are sort of our best in terms of income coming in, and there are a couple of large donations that are in the process of arriving,” Major Grad told members of council before Monday’s proclamation.
The Salvation Army’s $215,000 Christmas campaign will raise the funds necessary for the year round operation of the Food Bank, plus meet the needs of their Christmas Activities.
“There’s a lot of things that go on in the background right now,” Major Grad said.
Hundreds of volunteer hours as they’re sorting cans of food, and teddy bears, and all sorts of stuff.”
“This type of proclamation gives a bit of publicity to a lot of the things that are going on.”
This is the final week of Christmas Hamper applications before their Thursday, December 7 deadline. Application hours are daily from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Salvation Army.
Salvation Army Christmas Kettles have been set up throughout Swift Current, with locations at the Wheatland Mall, Swift Current Mall (Miracle Room/Safeway), WalMart, Pharmasave, and the Swift Current Liquor Store. The kettles are staffed by volunteers who work two hour shifts. Some of the volunteer shifts are difficult to find workers for, so individuals interested in volunteering can contact the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign phone number at 306-741-1714.
In addition, The Angel Tree in the Miracle Room at the Swift Current Mall has been busy collecting gifts from generous supporters.
“We’re just very pleased to be so well supported by the community,” Major Grad said.
He noted that just over 1,000 teddy bears were collected during the annual Teddy Bear Toss at the Swift Current Broncos game on December 2. There were also 396 hats and mitts, along with some other donated items collected on game night.
The Salvation Army is also gearing up for the arrival of the CP Holiday Train at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, December 17.
