Every year, The Salvation Army puts out those well-known Christmas Kettles to raise funds for the work of The Salvation Army in communities across Canada. With economic concerns and an increase in demand for services, The Salvation Army in Edmonton was looking to raise $450,000 during the month of December.

On December 22, 2009 Mr. Ed Butler, President of the Edmonton Public School Teachers Local Union 37, made a donation in the amount of $5,000 towards the Christmas Kettle Campaign, at a West Edmonton Mall kettle location.

No strangers to The Salvation Army, the Edmonton Public School Teachers Local Union 37 have been donors since 1983. During this time, they have donated a total of $213,320 to assist people in need in our community.

Thanks to the support of so many, including the Edmonton Public School Teachers Local Union 37, this year The Salvation Army was able to exceed its goal and raise $473,335.15. These funds will be used to assist families in need throughout the year with necessities like food, clothing and shelter. The money also helps to fund programs such as counselling, suicide prevention, seniors’ programming, and life and parenting skills.

Donations Shatter $16 million Campaign Goal as Needs Continue to Rise

Toronto, ON January 25, 2009 – With demand for Salvation Army services at an all-time high, Canadians dug deep this Christmas season, making more than $18 million in Christmas Kettle donations. The Salvation Army continues to count donations made to the 2009 National Christmas Campaign, but already the total has surpassed last year’s record-breaking $16 million.

“The results are a testament to the remarkable generosity of the Canadian public – we’re humbled that so many heeded the call of their neighbors in need,” said Commissioner William Francis, Territorial Commander for The Salvation Army in Canada & Bermuda. “For the past year, we have been challenged to meet an increased demand for our service. Thanks to the support of the Canadian public, we are confident that we can meet this demand.”

Current estimates show that client demand has risen between 10-40 percent across Canada. In 2008, The Salvation Army saw demand for services increase at feeding centres, food banks and Christmas hamper drives.


“Given current economic conditions, we don’t expect client demand to drop-off anytime soon,” said Commissioner Francis. “We will continue to rely on direct public support to meet the basic services we provide to hundreds of thousands in need each year.”

The $18 million figure includes only money donated to The Salvation Army’s physical kettles. The Salvation Army is continuing to tally dollars raised through phone, direct mail and other sources during the Christmas Campaign season – which runs from late November through Christmas Eve.

In addition to Kettle donations raised on street corners and in shopping centres, The Salvation Army also saw an increase in online giving during November and December. In both months, more than $3.4 million was raised online, an 18 percent increase from 2008. Also, more donors went online to collect money for The Salvation Army’s Christmas Campaign. There was a 43 percent increase in iKettle users, making this the fourth consecutive year that the site has grown in popularity.


Also, as part of the 2009 National Christmas Campaign, The Salvation Army relied on a number of partnerships and programs that contributed to the overall success of the campaign. For the first-time ever, The Salvation Army introduced an innovative text-to-give program with mobile technology company Zipstripe. The program allowed donors to text donations from most Canadian carriers. The Salvation Army also introduced a new ambient media and advertising campaign, created by GREY Canada. The campaign used online and street-level marketing strategies to communicate a message that poverty shouldn’t be a “revolving door” issue in Canada.

Other sustained partnerships grew stronger this year. A network of thousands of volunteer bell ringers gave of their time to stand alongside Kettles, collecting funds for the 2009 Christmas Campaign. Retail chains, including Walmart and Loblaws, made giving accessible and easy by welcoming Christmas Kettles into their stores. And, more than 10,000 runners turned out, nationwide, to raise money for the poor and homeless at the 19th Annual Santa Shuffle Run.

The Salvation Army’s National Christmas Campaign helps the Army provide direct, compassionate, hands-on service to more than 1.5 million people in Canada each year, restoring hope and dignity to the most vulnerable in society. The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Campaign has grown into one of Canada’s most significant and recognizable annual charitable events.

About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and 119 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction. When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.

News releases, articles and updated information can be found at www.SalvationArmy.ca

For further information please contact:

Andrew Burditt
Territorial Public Relations Director
416-845-8231
andrew_burditt@can.salvationarmy.org
www.SalvationArmy.ca

Despite a $16,000 drop in Christmas kettle donations, the Salvation Army heads into 2010 with plans to branch out further into the community.

“We want to do a community assessment and see if we can fill some of the gaps and needs,” says Capt. James Mercer, pastor at the Orillia citadel at 157 Coldwater Rd. W.

“At the same time, we have to sustain what we have now,” said Mercer.

In 2008, as the recession loomed, Orillians slipped more than $89,000 in cash and coins into the kettles.

This Christmas, the campaign brought in $72,500.

Fortunately, the mail-in campaign hit its target of $110,000. Read full story…

Source: Packet and Times

Margaret HOPE has spent her lifetime giving to others. She is a ray of sunshine to everyone she meets. Margaret recently used her incredible talent as a gifted artist to support The Salvation Army. The many first place red ribbons, from the Central Canadian Exhibition, are a testimony to her talent.

Margaret spent months creating hundreds of pieces of art to sell. She recruited her husband John. He too used his artistic talents to create interesting items to add to her collection. A friend who heard about Margaret’s project also donated handmade items to her cause. Very soon their sunroom was filled with their ACTION.

The Hope’s, long time supporters of The Salvation Army, have seen how the Army meets very real needs and is a transforming influence in the community. Margaret very generously donated the proceeds of her sale, $2,000, to The Salvation Army Christmas campaign. Her special gift helped put food on empty tables, gloves on bare hands, and toys for children who would have gone without on Christmas morning. Margaret Hope’s ACHIEVEMENT…. She brought Christmas and hope to the destitute, the homeless and hungry individuals and families in her community.

On December 24, 2009, a team of Salvation Army volunteers prepared the mobile cantine unit for a special Christmas Eve visit to the Émilie-Gamelin Park in the Centre-South area of Montreal.

Well-known by the homeless, this annual activity organized in collaboration with “Un coeur pour les autres” (an organization offering help to the poor) offers a complete meal, including dessert and hot drinks. To the music of “Joy to the World,” the crowd of around 250 that had waited patiently for several hours for the arrival of the cantine received articles to help them face the winter chill: blankets, coats, tuques, and scarves.

Media Contact :
Amélia Desjacques
Communications Specialist
The Salvation Army– Quebec Division
Telephone: 514-288-7441, ext. 2263
amelia_desjacques@armeedusalut.ca

The Christmas holidays typically bring a spike in the number of domestic disputes police respond to. There is more alcohol in the home, bills start coming in, there is increased stress and sometimes things turn violent. Most victims of abuse keep their families together during the holidays and leave after. As a result, Salvation Army centres see an increase in demand for services. Read the full story

Laurie Williamson presents a cheque to Captain David Allen in Mississauga, Ont. Over the past five years, he’s donated $50,000 to the Army

The Salvation Army gives hope to thousands across the country each year, and I’m sure they get some strange requests. But I’m pretty certain that a tuba never made it to their list until that day in 1996.

An Unexpected Request
My son, Tyler, was born in 1980. Diagnosed as autistic, he contracted leukemia at the age of 16. From July to December of 1996, he was in terrible pain and finally had to be admitted to Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children in November.

As Christmas approached, Tyler’s condition improved enough that the doctors gave us permission to bring him home over the holidays.

Tyler was due to be released the Friday before Christmas. We were overjoyed but we didn’t expect his reaction to the news.

“Oh, that’s OK,” he said. “I’ll stay here, thanks.” Many children who have been hospitalized for long stretches prefer to be where they feel secure, knowing they’ll have around-the-clock care.

One thing helped change his mind. My music-loving son suddenly announced the day before his scheduled departure that he would indeed go home with us—but only if we could get him a tuba. Tyler had always wanted to learn how to play and this was his chance. Maybe his last chance.

A tuba?! Where was I going to get a tuba overnight? All the stores were closed and it’s not like you can pick one up at a drive-thru.

Impossible Request
Frantic, I made a telephone call. I’d worked closely with Major Doug Hefford of The Salvation Army, one of my Rotary Club colleagues. If anyone could help, it was him.

“I need a tuba,” I told Doug over the phone. “Why?” he replied, not the least bit fazed by the request. I told him my story.

“When do you need it?” he asked.

“In less than 24 hours.”

“For how long?” he queried, not missing a beat.

“I don’t know. Probably just over the Christmas holidays.”

While I knew The Salvation Army was famous the world over for their bands and their music, I realized this was probably an impossible request.

Unforgettable Christmas
What happened next will always be a mystery to me. I don’t know how many favours Doug had to call in or where he got it, but a tuba was in my house the next day—and so was my son. He played that thing every minute that he could, all through the holidays!

From that point on, my son renamed The Salvation Army “The Celebration Army” in honour of what they did for him.

“Doug,” I wrote him in a thank-you note, “you made a sick boy very happy. The thrill on his face made the last two months seem far away. The battle is far from over but this weekend was a major gain for us all.”

Acquiring that tuba on such short notice was the most unselfish act I’ve ever experienced in my life. Without it, we would have had to celebrate Christmas in the hospital. It was one of the only times our family was all together during those six months. It was a Christmas we never forgot.

There for All
Despite a bone-marrow transplant, the cancer returned when Tyler was 19 and we lost him in 2000. I never forgot the kindness of The Salvation Army officers who ministered to our family and the dozens of others at the hospital.

Now I give back through my car dealership and through volunteer efforts with the Army, not just at Christmas but all year around.

I’ve learned Salvation Army members do that kind of thing all the time, from helping those with addictions to mounting massive rescue efforts in the face of calamity. And
through their kettle campaign, millions of dollars are raised to help thousands of children. They do it with no questions or remuneration asked. If you need help, they’re there.

by Laurie Williamson

PHOTO CREDIT: SNAP Mississauga

This past Christmas, as our nation continued to navigate through tough economic times, The Salvation Army was amazed at how committed Canadians were to lending a hand to one another. While the results from our 2009 Christmas Campaign have not yet been finalized, we know that thousands of Canadians have generously supported our efforts and, on behalf of The Salvation Army, I would like to say ‘thank you’. 


From toy drives, to kettles, to Christmas hampers, it was your generosity that allowed The Salvation Army to help the vulnerable and marginalized this year. Funds raised will also enable us to meet human need in communities across Canada in 2010.

As we enter the New Year, we recognize that while there have been positive signs, it will take quite some time before Canada’s economy will fully recover. The Salvation Army will continue its efforts to meet the increased demand for assistance, calling on Canadians to support our vital work.

The Salvation Army reaches out to every person in love and throughout 2010 we will respond to the changing needs of different communities. As an organization, we will continue to evaluate the manner in which service is provided in an effort to maximize the investment of the Canadian public.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to be a shelter of hope for those caught in the storms of life. If you still wish to give, please click on the link below:

Give hope by supporting the work of The Salvation Army. 



Gifts made before the end of the day on December 31 are eligible for a 2009 income tax receipt.

Through your donations we will continue to serve the hundreds of thousands who need help for today and hope for tomorrow.

May God Bless You,



Commissioner William W. Francis


Territorial Commander

Leader of The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda Territory

For many, the New Year is a time for personal resolutions. We look forward to the coming year and reflect on changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on them.

Here are seven simple steps to help us keep them:

Pick one thing – don’t put pressure on yourself by making more than one change in your life at a time.

Plan ahead – Plan for success and get everything ready so things will run smoothly.

Anticipate problems – There will be problems, so make a list of what they will be.

Pick a start date – You don’t have to make your changes on New Year’s Day.

Go for it – Make a commitment and write it down on a card. Keep it in your wallet, in your car or by your bed. It will give you an extra dose of positive reinforcement.

Accept failure – Don’t hate yourself if you miss a walk for a day. Try again. Perseverance is the key to success.

Plan rewards – You’ll deserve them and will have earned them.

What are you planning to do in 2010?

The Salvation Army wishes you a very Merry Christmas!

Thank you to the many people who helped The Salvation Army during the Christmas season. As a result of your volunteering and donations, The Salvation Army is able to stand with vulnerable people this Christmas. 2009 has seen a dramatic shift in the economic climate which has meant that in some areas there has been a 40% increase in the number of families seeking Christmas assistance.

The simple gesture of a turkey dinner, gifts and companionship on Christmas Day, will provide a Christmas miracle that you are now a part of. During this Christmas season may it encourage you to know that you are giving hope to those who are often overlooked in our community. Thank you for being a part of our Christmas Miracle.

Merry Christmas!