Sixteen thousand people in 41 cities across Canada participated in The Salvation Army's annual Santa Shuffle in December, raising funds to help Canadians in poverty at Christmas and throughout the year. Participants in the Santa Shuffle's five-kilometre Fun Run and one-kilometre Elf Walk collect pledges from friends and family in the lead-up to the event.
“Approximately $500,000 was raised that will help The Salvation Army fight poverty and restore dignity nationwide,” says Erin McGrath, national race director. The race, now in its 24th year, is held in partnership with Running Room Ltd.
Participants, many of whom were dressed in festive gear, braved freezing temperatures and inclement weather to make a difference in their local communities. Everyone who completed the course received an eye-catching Santa Shuffle medal.
“It was a lot of fun, even though some of us are less athletic,” joked one shuffler. “It was a great opportunity for our family to come together and do something beneficial,” said another.
“Thank you to everyone who ran, walked or volunteered,” says McGrath. “Your contribution will help change a life and give hope to those who need it most.”
Brayden, Timothy, Jordyn, Kaelyn and Kolten Kerr of Meadowlands Corps in Ancaster, Ont., were the top family pledge earners for The Salvation Army's 2014 Santa Shuffle in Hamilton/Burlington. The Kerr family raised $1,200 towards the 2014 Kettle Campaign in the fight against poverty this Christmas
The Celebration of Culture came to Ontario this year for a day of learning, feasting and dancing on the journey of reconciliation. The seventh-annual event, a partnership between The Salvation Army and Indigenous Pathways, was held at Northridge Community Church in Aurora, Ont., on Saturday, September 20.
Over the past year, The Salvation Army hosted a series of reconciliation circles to allow people to gather and talk about Indigenous reconciliation through the lens of what it means to be a good neighbour. Three participants share their experience.
Every Thursday, parents in Calgary know their children have a safe, welcoming place to go at The Salvation Army’s Community Resource Centre thanks to the After S’Cool Club, where kids can learn, make friends and build academic and social skills. This is especially important for the large population of newcomers in the community who are adjusting
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