Justin Hewitt, 11, from Napanee,Ont., went to a local grocery store to spend the $15 he had in his pocket. However, he ended up spending this not on himself, but on others. He donated all the money he had to a Salvation Army Christmas kettle.

“I always care about people. There shouldn’t be homeless people at all,” Justin says. “Everyone should always have a place to live.”

“Go Ahead!”

This isn’t the first time Justin has supported the kettle campaign. He recalls being fascinated by kettles at a young age.

“When I was five, it was the first time I saw a kettle,” he says. “I asked my mom if I could put two dollars in it.”

His grandmother and guardian, Sheila Birch, says Justin has always had a big heart for helping others.

“Ever since he was little, whenever he saw a kettle he would say, ‘Nana, Nana. Can I have money to put in?’ ” Sheila says. “I would give him a few dollars and say, ‘Go ahead!’ It’s something he has always wanted to do.”

Following by Example

Justin’s grandparents are proud of his commitment to helping The Salvation Army as they have been associated with the organization for a long time.

“If we needed extra items for our children, The Salvation Army was always there for us,” James Birch, Justin’s grandfather, shares.

The Army provided the Birch family with extra food and clothing for their children and grandchildren. Justin also attends summer camps run by The Salvation Army.

Sheila and James encourage people to follow Justin’s example by donating to the kettles.

“If you can give, give!” Sheila says.

“Giving to The Salvation Army will always be good for the people they help,” James adds.

As for Justin, he will continue to donate to Salvation Army kettles whenever he can, hoping his contributions can help more people find places to live. 

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