Every year, ministry units in Canada and Bermuda collectively rally to raise funds for The Salvation Army’s international work through the Partners in Mission Self-Denial Campaign. For some, this means—as the campaign name implies—denying oneself a cup of coffee so the money can be given to the campaign. For others, it means putting their heads together to come up with a fundraising initiative that will get everyone at church talking and reaching into their pockets.

Here is a selection of corps from each division who raised funds for the Self-Denial Campaign in 2025, and enjoyed some food, fellowship and fun along the way.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Nothing Like an Army Cup of Tea
The Willows Church and Family Life Centre, Langley, B.C.

From teacups to trivia battles to beard trimmers, The Willows offered a range of exciting initiatives in 2025 to raise money for Partners in Mission.

In May, the church hosted a Victorian tea party, transforming itself into a charming tearoom complete with thrifted teacups and vintage-inspired decor. Women and girls of all ages attended, dressed in elegant clothes and fascinators. Attendees enjoyed a spread of cucumber and cream cheese, smoked salmon, curried chicken and egg salad sandwiches, along with traditional scones, clotted cream and a variety of desserts. With tickets set at $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and children, the tea party brought in more than $400.

The Willows’ main fundraising event, an annual trivia night and auction, invited teams to battle through eight rounds of trivia spanning pop culture, geography, movies and more, over a gourmet hot dog dinner. Donated gift baskets were put up for auction, offering exciting prizes, such as handcrafted goods, beauty sets, gift cards and even a guided fishing trip. To further motivate bidders, Captain Dave McFadden, corps officer, pledged to shave his head and Brian Campbell, next generation ministries co-ordinator, agreed to shave his beard if fundraising surpassed $2,000. To the congregation’s delight, the final total reached $2,410.

Additionally, members of the corps pitched in throughout the year through weekly bake sales, teacher appreciation gift basket sales, direct donations and offerings, to help bring the corps’ fundraising total to $8,322.98 for the year.

“It’s a blessing to see our church come together with such joy, knowing every contribution helps strengthen God’s work globally,” says Captain Renee McFadden, corps officer. 

PRAIRIES AND NORTHERN TERRITORIES

Good Food for a Good Cause
Community Church of Lethbridge, Alta.

At The Salvation Army in Lethbridge, the annual roast beef dinner fundraiser brought together Salvationists and supporters for a delicious meal and a good cause.

Faithfully co-ordinated each year by a devoted team of retired officers, the fundraiser offered both dine-in and take-out options, at $25 each, so that everyone could participate. More than 80 hearty meals were served, complete with three courses: salad; roast beef with vegetables, mashed potatoes, gravy and Yorkshire pudding; and dessert. Volunteers served the food and packed to-go meals with care, and guests enjoyed plenty of laughter and fellowship time.

Thanks to the generosity of the congregation and wider community, the roast beef dinner raised more than $2,000 for Partners in Mission, contributing to the corps’ total of more than $15,000, and far exceeding its original $10,000 goal.

All the ingredients and supplies for the dinner were donated so that every dollar raised could go directly to supporting The Salvation Army’s work internationally.

“There was a real sense of service throughout the evening,” says Lieutenant Zach Marshall, corps officer and community services officer. “All of our volunteers worked hard to make this happen.”

ONTARIO

Talent Takes the Stage
Cambridge Citadel, Ont.

In 2025, the children and youth at Cambridge Citadel took the lead on fundraising, hosting a dinner and talent show that showcased the many skills and hidden abilities within the corps. It was attended by 60 people, including kids and families, corps members and the wider community. By the end of the event, they had raised more than $500 toward the corps’ $13,000 Partners in Mission goal.

The talent show was open to the rest of the corps as well, not just the kids. Youth leaders, older congregants and mother-daughter duos performed. The beginner and junior bands gave well-practised performances, and other acts sang or played instruments, such as the piano and even ukuleles.

One memorable act came from a grandmother and grandson who had recently come back from a cruise together. “They showed us how to fold towels into the shapes of animals, which they learned on their cruise ship,” says Major Danette Woods, corps officer. “It was really unique.”

For Major Woods, it was meaningful to see the kids take charge and get involved in the fundraising effort. “Our kids’ club is mostly community kids, not necessarily from the church, so for them to come in, hear about what Partners in Mission is and why we support it, and then be part of such a joyful evening—it was wonderful,” she says.

Major Woods notes that the people at Cambridge Citadel are always excited to do what they can to support fundraising initiatives such as these. “When there’s something fun happening like this, the energy is up and people are eager to attend and support the cause,” she says. “Everybody enjoyed themselves, and we were able to put that money toward the work that God has called the Army to around the world.”

ATLANTIC

May the Best Gumballs Win
St. John's Citadel, N.L.

“The youth at our corps are very passionate,” says Kayla Marsh, children and youth ministries director at St. John’s Citadel, who for the past few years has hosted a friendly competition to incentivize kids and teens to give to Partners in Mission.

As part of the corps’ overall target of $41,000, the youth department set out to raise $2,000 through fun and interactive activities. Marsh makes a large gumball machine out of poster board and as money is raised toward the Partners in Mission goal, it slowly fills up with blue and pink gumballs—aboys-versus-girls race to the top.

One initiative that helps fill the gumball machine is a weekly bake sale, held every Thursday from February to April after youth music programs wrap up. The bake sale offers treats by donation—any amount welcome, whether one dollar or five—and two jars are set out for the boys and girls’ teams.

Marsh says that each year, the youth really get into the competition, and the bake sale treats are just a bonus for them. “We had people coming in weekly with bags of quarters and handfuls of loonies to put in their jars,” she says.

Additionally, once a month the youth department ran a Sunday morning toonie drive in the church foyer. The same boys and girls’ jars were put out, and members of the congregation were encouraged to drop in a toonie, though they often gave more.

“One boy would shout out, ‘Raise money for Self-Denial!’ and it brought smiles to everyone’s faces and helped raise even more awareness,” says Marsh.

In total, the youth department filled their gumball machine to overflowing, surpassing their initial fundraising goal at $2,200, with $850 coming from the weekly bake sales.

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