Efforts from corps, ministry units, community volunteers, thrift stores and supporters resulted in another successful Christmas kettle campaign. In 2022, The Salvation Army raised $21.8 million from divisions across the Canada and Bermuda Territory.
Of this total, 98 National Recycling Operations thrift stores raised $341,265 from 76,000 donors who engaged in giving through their local stores. In addition, $2.3 million in donations were received through the tiptap function at the kettles, allowing donors to simply tap their debit or credit card rather than putting cash into the kettle. Last year, 201 corps and ministry units made use of this innovative function, attracting more than 240,000 total tap donations—21 percent of which were gifts of a $20 value, a generous individual kettle gift.
As inflation continues to directly affect the cost of groceries, fuel and housing, The Salvation Army has seen a 30 percent increase in families with children who need support. The funds raised through Christmas kettles will be distributed in the communities in which they were raised, directly benefiting the people who live there.
“For at-risk people, this need doesn’t end with Christmas. The income we raise from Christmas kettles supports local programming throughout the year as well,” says Lt-Colonel John Murray, territorial secretary for communications.
“While the Christmas kettle is an iconic symbol of help and hope during the holiday season in Canada, it only happens thanks to the tireless efforts of officers, volunteers and staff,” continues Lt-Colonel Murray. “We are incredibly grateful for this support and for their commitment to the mission of The Salvation Army in the communities in which they serve.”
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Dear Sir or Madamme I am Curtis Smith the co-chair of the former Citizens Advisory Committee with the Salvation Army in Kingston. I know you support and appreciate the work of the Salvation Army. Otherwise you wouldn't have agreed to receive this letter. I am proud to be representing the Salvation Army. I think it is one of the most highly thought of charities around. These Kettles are a good source for getting potential donors "On BOARD" as a donor to the Salvation Army. By far, the largest source of funds donated to the Salvation Army is through Wills and Estates, so let's get as many potential donors "ON BOARD" as possible for these smaller donations. After about 50 years of working these Kettles at Christmas time, I have read and found the best and most effective way to get donations is through "Eye Contact". You can get this "Eye Contact" by just looking at the potential donor, smiling, or saying Hi or Good Morning or Merry Christmas or Nodding when they are approaching you from a short distance away. I am sure if you were manning a Kettle, you would have found this amazing as I did. This year all of the Kettles have taken the form of "TIP TAP" machines. these stand alone machines allow donors to simply "TAP" their card to make a donation of $5, $10 or $20 a TAP without the need to use cash. You can use Interac, visa, Master Card, Iphone or Google Pay. We are short of Kettle Attendants so if you are willing and able to stand or sit by a Kettle in one of the Malls in Kingston for a two hour period will you book yourself in at WWW.thesalvationarmykingstonkettlecampaign2023.ca. If you have already given to this years campaign, we thank you from the bottom of our Hearts and ask you to disregard this letter. May God Bless You And Yours Curtis Smith 613-546-4335 or Cell 613-483-0668 NB. Will you please help distribute this.