The new Okanagan Central Salvation Army is a million-dollar success story.
The regional unit, an amalgamation of the Westside and sa国际传媒 Salvation Army churches, had asked the twin communities to donate $1 million to its annual Christmas Red Kettle campaign, which ran Nov. 13 to Dec. 31.
鈥淚t was our inaugural year,鈥 said Capt. Jennifer Henson, who, with her husband, Rob, is co-pastor of the new church.
鈥淚tsa国际传媒 a great start to the new Okanagan Central Salvation Army.鈥
Not only did the Central Okanagan respond positively, it was even more generous and donated an extra $36,847.97.
鈥淲e set a lofty goal, so to not only meet, but exceed, our fundraising goal, is an incredible achievement.鈥
Last year, neither the Westside or sa国际传媒, which ran separate campaigns then, met their goals.
鈥淭he Christmas campaign absolutely met our expectations and goals, which was fabulous because we didn鈥檛 have mailers.鈥
There are more people in need, more people hurting and fewer able to give, but the communities rose to the occasion even though post office workers were on strike and people who usually mailed their donation, couldn鈥檛.
鈥淧eople really heard our plea to bring the cheques to our office; a lot of people put their cheques in the kettles, and we saw an increase of people donating through our website,鈥 Henson said.
With the money, the Salvation Army was able to ensure that more than 1,500 children and teens woke up to something special on Christmas morning.
Volunteer and kettle co-ordinator Angela Stadnyk shares Hensonsa国际传媒 confidence that, because of the communitysa国际传媒 support, the Salvation Army will be able to maintain its high standard of service.
While Stadnyk was ecstatic with the monetary response from the community, she was just as grateful to the volunteers who spent 2,225 two-hour shifts at the red kettles in sa国际传媒 and West sa国际传媒.
鈥淭he volunteersa国际传媒 commitment as a kettle bell ringer, kettle driver, kettle coin counter, kettle events and more exemplifies true community spirit. I am humbled by their willingness to give, help and ensure everyone has access to critical supports as needed,鈥 she said.
鈥淢ore volunteers are always welcome, needed and appreciated, yet so many came together in the season and shared their gift of time.鈥澛
To break cycles of poverty, which more people have fallen into, the Salvation Army provides assistance with grocery and gas gift cards, hygiene items, transportation costs, rental subsidies, utility payments, financial literacy and mental wellness.
鈥淪urpassing our Christmas fundraising goal reflects the spirit of compassion and generosity that defines the Central Okanagan,鈥 said Lenetta Parry, the organizationsa国际传媒 community engagement and resource manager.
鈥淓very donation, no matter the size, makes a difference, and supports essential programs and services.鈥
While the Christmas campaign officially ended Dec. 31, it is not too late to make a donation and get an income-tax receipt from the CRA. Because of the postal strike, the government extended the 2024 charitable donation deadline to Feb. 28.
The same trials and tribulations of raising enough money to meet the growing need that sa国际传媒 鈥 that the whole country 鈥 faces is also obvious in Penticton.
鈥淲e did meet budget with our kettles, but with our mailers, because of the postal strike, we suffered,鈥 said Al Madsen, communities ministry director for the Penticton Salvation Army.
鈥淥ur mailer probably came in at 30% of normal.鈥
But in spite of the fund-raising problems, and the ever-growing demand, Madsen said the Salvation Army did meet the needs of its clients at Christmas.
鈥淲e probably gave out 35,000 gift cards. The number of clients over in Cawston was probably over 100, but I don鈥檛 give out the number of people in Penticton because we have singles, we have doubles and we have family groups, and double family groups.鈥
Although the Christmas campaign met the challenge, Madsen is concerned about 2025. Even before the new year dawned, the Salvation Army had discussed reducing support because it expects the need to rise dramatically.
鈥淲e are not at that point yet, but I can see us getting to that point, probably within the next few months,鈥 he said.
鈥淭here is a lot of uncertainly because of the political climate and the economy still has not recovered from the last set of inflation.鈥
But, he emphasized, the food bank won鈥檛 turn anyone away.
He said the problem is so bad that people are cutting meals just so they can afford everything else, and switching to the cheapest food, which, often isn鈥檛 the healthiest..
鈥淚t could be a family that got stuck with a mortgage renewal, and if you have to make a choice as to where you鈥檙e going to live, or pay your mortgage or eat, then, of course, you鈥檙e going to look after housing and worry about food.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to sound doom and gloom, but we are definitely being cautious going into next year, but the support of Penticton has been always been there, and, hopefully, we can look for more support throughout the year.鈥
