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Kettle Campaign comes in $25,000 short of target By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Salvation Army Oakville's annual Christmas Kettle Campaign fell short by more than $25,000 of its target of $135,000, according to the organization's interim pastor. "It's the first time that I know that we haven't made it and I'm not sure what the reasons are at this time," said Major Martyn Goodger. The organization collected $109,665 during its holiday Kettle Campaign, which ran for several weeks, starting on Nov. 17, 2012 until Christmas Eve (Dec. 24). The campaign is The Salvation Army's largest cash drive. It raises funds to help those in need at Christmas, such as providing food vouchers to buy a holiday meal and toys for local children. The campaign also helps fund community programs beyond the holidays. Goodger admits $25,000 is a large shortfall. "We had lots of workers out. I'm not sure whether it's an economic situation or what the issues are here, but we will have a post mortem on the whole thing when the staff gets back," he said. Goodger noted there were other Salvation Army locations across Canada that also did not meet their Kettle Campaign targets. 13 · Friday, January 4, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com "We had lots of workers out. I'm not sure whether it's an economic situation or what the issues are here, but we will have a post mortem on the whole thing when staff gets back... I'm not sure (what this means) at this point. I have to evaluate the whole program." Major Martyn Goodger, Interim pastor, The Salvation Army Oakville While the Kettle Campaign is now wrapped up, the organization still accepts regular donations, to which people can contribute at any time. Goodger said, however, the organization's toy drive went well this year. "We're grateful for the donation of toys. We were able to give each child three toys and it worked out extremely well," he said. To make a contribution to The Salvation Army, drop off or mail in donations to The Salvation Army Community Church, 1225 Rebecca St., Oakville, ON, L6L 1Z1. For more information, visit www. salvationarmyoakville.ca. JAMES HOGGETT / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER CAMPAIGN'S END: Kettle Campaign Volunteer, Carol Foster collected last minute donations for The Salvation Army at the entrance/exit Festival of Lights at Fairway Hills Boulevard. The Christmas Eve Luminaries event marks the official end to the kettle campaign. "I'm not sure (what this means) at this point. I have to evaluate the whole program. I don't know what our donations total is at this time," he said.