Salvation Army seeking holiday season help
The Salvation Army is putting out a call to help families in need across our community this holiday season.
For more than 40 years the organization has helped people like Achamkeng Abille make it through at this time of the year with its Christmas Hamper Program.
“I was just thinking how Christmas was going to be, but now I’m blessed,” says Abille, a full-time nursing student and mother of two young children.
Abille, along with thousands of others, are picking up their hampers at different sites until Dec. 17.
However, to make everyone’s holiday season festive, the Salvation Army says it needs help.
“We’re at about 5,000 applicants this year and that’s up from last year when we had 4,500,” says Nancy Kerr, the manager of the hamper program.
Kerr says they need help with toy donations, “Our greatest need now is ages two to six for boys and girls as well as boys and girls from nine to 12.”
Donations for the Christmas Kettle Campaign are also down this year after a difficult 2020.
“With COVID last year we did not meet our goal of about $550,000 so we’re even in more need this year,” says Jon DeActis, with the Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope.
He says besides money they need volunteers to man the kettles, “Right now we’re very short on volunteers so this is kind of a call out for anybody who’s in a place to volunteer.”
Kerr adds, “We’re just trying to put smiles on faces of children on Christmas morning.”
For more information on how you can donate a toy to the Christmas Hamper Program click here or to volunteer at one of the kettles click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.