Penticton Kettle Campaign needs boost to reach target

Penticton’s Salvation Army Kettle Campaign is running full out in an effort to reach its goal by Christmas Eve.

Salvation Army Major Lisa Trickett says “the hearts in our community are absolutely amazing,” as the campaign hit $89,500 in donations on Thursday, Dec. 19.

Eight kettles are still at work at various locations in the city with the goal to reach $140,000 by 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Trickett says the campaign will hopefully hit $100,000 on Saturday, leaving three more days to reach the target.

The campaign began a week after Remembrance Day.

Penticton’s Kettle Campaign could use a couple more volunteers as well. Anyone interested should call Val Fenn at 250-488-0726.

The Salvation Army is also assisting with collection of toys to be distributed to families and children in need. Trickett says the army has assisted 25 families through the organization’s adopt a family plan, and hopes to raise that number to 75 next year.

“We’d like Penticton residents to consider opening up to adopting a family next year,” she says.

The Salvation Army has enjoyed “incredible support’ from corporate donors such as Canadian Tire, Trickett says.

Penticton isn’t the only kettle campaign suffering from a shortfall on its target this year. The Kelowna campaign was short $283,000 of its $700,000 target, or at 41 per cent of its goal on Dec. 17.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to tips@infonews.ca and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.