For 13 years, The Salvation Army Thrift Store has displayed sponsorship donation boxes at cash registers all across Canada. The coins guests drop into the donation boxes, add up to the raising of significant funds to support the Brighter Futures Children's Sponsorship program.

“It's amazing to see how someone's dollar given in a Canadian Thrift Store can have a direct impact in a community in another country,” says John Kershaw, Managing Director of The Salvation Army's National Recycling Operations (NRO). “We have an incredible partnership with World Missions. Thrift Stores are a linking point within the community. World Missions is our link to the international world. We have the opportunity to give back and help children in need through Brighter Futures. The link is really powerful.”
The donation boxes are displayed throughout the year; however NRO holds a special campaign in the month of March. “When a guest is ready to check out, we ask them to donate to our current Good Works@Work campaign,” states Michele Walker, National Retail Operations Manager. “We like to encourage our local community to get involved with the developing world and give back. Every little bit has a huge impact.”

From left to right; John Kershaw, Major Karen Lemke, Michele Walker, Yamuna Kanagalingam, Major Donna Barthau, Jennifer Meszaros, Marilyn Kershaw and Major Gillian Brown

This year, through the donations from Salvation Army Thrift Store guests, NRO has raised $37,078. Michele Walker and Jennifer Meszaros, National Marketing Specialist for NRO, visited Territorial Headquarters to present the cheque to World Missions. In that meeting, Sponsorship Coordinator, Major Donna Barthau, shared stories of the programs and children the funds support. “I hadn't realized how much focus goes into creating projects for sustainability within the program. It really displays the level of commitment of not just looking at their needs today, but also their tomorrow,” says Walker. “We are so grateful and honoured to play a part and contribute to the international work of The Salvation Army.”

The next time you're in a Salvation Army Thrift Store, look for that little coin box at the register because your donation does make a difference!