Christmas Kettle Campaign raises $20 million

This Christmas, donors acrossCanadahelped support The Salvation Army’s efforts to reduce poverty nationwide by donating more than $20 million to the annual Kettle Campaign. Funds raised in the nearly 2,000 kettles in stores, on street corners and online will be used to support programs that help restore hope and dignity to more than 1.7 million each year throughout the country.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the overwhelming generosity that helped us fill the kettles this year,” said Graham Moore, Territorial Secretary for Public Relations and Development for The Salvation Army in Canada. “Meeting and surpassing our ambitious $19 million goal will help us meet the increased demand for our services and provide a sense of dignity for all throughout 2012.”

This year marked the 120th anniversary of The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign and the more than $20 million raised surpassed an all-time record. In addition to physical kettles located on street corners and shopping centers across the country, donors also had the option to give online at www.FilltheKettle.com.

Locally, the kettle total in British Columbia also reached an all time high by raising $3.3 million raised across the Province. 

“We owe the success of this year’s campaign to everyone who donated, the thousands of volunteers who manned our kettles and the various malls, retail stores and shopping centres that welcomed us in this Christmas,” said Graham Moore. “Without this support, we would not be able to raise the funds needed to address the dehumanizing scourge of poverty throughout the upcoming year.”

The Salvation Army Christmas Campaign helps provide direct, compassionate, hands-on service to more than 1.7 million people in Canada each year. This annual campaign has grown into one of Canada’s most significant and recognizable charitable events. Last year, more than $18 million was raised in kettles nationwide.