By Shane Clausing

salvation army

Salvation Army removing volunteers from kettle campaign amid new COVID-19 restrictions

Dec 11, 2020 | 1:14 PM

The Salvation Army across Alberta will be removing volunteers from their annual kettle campaign after Saturday, December 12, because of the new COVID-19 restrictions implemented by the Alberta Government on December 8.

“We made a decision as a Salvation Army in our province to pull volunteers for their safety and the safety of our community, to ensure that we are also a part of the solution in bending the curve,” explained Captain Peter Kim, the Executive Director of the Salvation Army in Grande Prairie.

“Since the beginning of our campaign this year, the safety of our volunteers and donors has always been our first priority,” said Major Al Hoeft, Divisional Secretary for Public Relations. “In response to the increasing cases and the recent safety protections by the province and AHS, we will no longer have volunteers ringing the bells at our kettles in Alberta.”

The Salvation Army says that the loss of volunteers at the campaign could greatly impact the programs and services that the organization provides.

However, despite volunteers being taken off location, Kim says that there are still ways for many people to get involved with the kettle campaign.

“People can tip tap, which is a $5 tap at the kettle location if they’re out. They can donate at salvationarmyGP.ca, they can text to donate at 30333 and text HOPEGP. They can also call us and donate on the phone or mail in donations. There’s lots of ways.”

Kim tells EverythingGP that currently the Kettle Campaign is sitting at $300,000 raised. Their goal is to raise $500,000 for the Christmas season.

“The community has been very generous and supportive,” said Kim.

According to Kim, this year the organization has seen online donations increase. He is hopeful that they’ll be able to reach their $500,000 goal by Christmas Eve.