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Salvation Army Kettle Campaign now in full swing by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 19 | Thursday November 30, 2017 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insidehalton.com T he Oakville Salvation Army is once again calling on residents to help the less fortunate in this community by donating to their annual Kettle Campaign. Volunteers will operate Salvation Army kettles at 10 locations across Oakville until Dec. 23. This year the charity is hoping to raise $118,000. The holiday Kettle Campaign is the only time each year the Salvation Army solicits donations. "The money that is raised from the Kettle Campaign goes towards funding our entire operation, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year," said Shannon Robinson, coordinator Community and Family Services program. "Our family services and food bank does not receive any level of government funding so we solely rely on the community for those funds." While a number of kettles are currently up and running the campaign officially kicked off during a ceremony at Oakville Place on Nov. 28. The kick-off event featured Christmas songs played by the Salvation Army Brass Band. Robinson noted the local Salvation Army food bank assisted 1,385 people during 2016. The group also helps the needy in the community through clothing voucher programs, furniture referrals, summer camping programs, income tax clinics and back to school support, among other things. The Oakville Salvation Army's Christmas As- Salvation Army Oakville staff members were out to raise awareness for its Kettle Campaign, including, from left, Heather Taylor; Shannon Robinson; Emma Wong; and, Elizabeth Gillard at the downtown Oakville tree lighting event The official kickoff took place at Oakville Place Tuesday, Nov. 28. | Trish O'Flaherty photo. sistance Program, which provides food and toys to families who otherwise would go without, served around 400 families including around 600 children in 2016. Oakville Salvation Army Corps Officer/Pastor, Major Mike Hennessy, emphasized that if the Kettle Campaign does not raise the necessary funds the charity's ability to help those in need will be lessened. That would be detrimental because Robinson said the need for the Salvation Army's services in Oakville is growing. "We have seen an increase in the number of people using our programs for assistance. Be- tween 2016 and 2017 we did see a total of 92 new households," she said. "As we move into Christmas we are seeing an increase in new families who are reaching out to us for assistance." While the Salvation Army needs Kettle Campaign donations to reach its goal it first must get volunteers so it can take donations. There are a total of 1,090 shifts available during the Kettle Campaign and so far volunteers are only available to cover 245 of them (22 per cent). Kettles are currently located at Oakville Place Mall as well as at Walmart, the Real Canadian Superstore, the Dundas Street Canadian Tire, the Lakeshore Road Fortino's and the South Oakville Centre. Kettles will be located at the Cornwall Road, Oak Park Drive and Rebecca Street., LCBO locations starting Dec. 1. Those unable to make it to a kettle can still donate by mail/in person at 1225 Rebecca St., Oakville, Ont., L6L 1Z1. The office is open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Donations can also be made online at www. fillthekettle.com or by telephone at 1-800-SALARMY (725-2769). Those interested in volunteering can call 289681-3197, visit www.oakvillechristmaskettles.ca or email tsaoakvillekettles@cogeco.net. For related stories, see p. 21 and 24 S TA R T I N G D E C E M B E R 1 OUR GIFT TO YO U A limited edition porcelain ornament with a satin bow and decorative silver details F R E E W I T H YO U R $ 1 2 5 PA N D O R A P U R C H A S E * T H E PA N D O R A S T O R E AT BRAMALEA CITY CENTRE · 905.792.8820 ERIN MILLS TOWN CENTRE · 905.828.5902 MAPLEVIEW CENTRE · 905.632.5400 SQUARE ONE · 905.232.0661 *While supplies last, limit one per customer. No substitutions. Valid only at participating PANDORA retailers. Prices before taxes. Void where prohibited. Not valid with prior purchase. Excludes gift card purchases. Ornament presented in PANDORA gift box. © 2017 Pandora Jewelry, LLC · All rights reserved