Salvation Army helps many
The Christmas kettle campaign was still in effect on Wednesday, encouraging shoppers at several city stores to drop donations into the bucket. The annual campaign's goal for the year was to gather up $300,000 by Christmas Eve.
The kettles were still gathering donations by the time the Gazette went to press but they had reportedly accumulated more than $292,000 as of Dec. 18.
The campaign fundraises for the church's programs to help "the most vulnerable people in our community year round" according to its website at www.stalbertsalvationarmy.ca. All funds stay within the community including the church's free store, which allowed more than 100 families to 'shop' for free gifts for their children.
People can contact the church to learn more about the campaign or its programs by calling 780-458-1937. You can also visit salvationarmy.ca/donate to help out. The St. Albert church is located at 165 Liberton Drive.
Poppies flowered huge
The local poppy campaign was a resounding success, resulting in more than $73,000 for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 271. The amount will go toward requests for assistance from legion members in support of the Legion's mandate. The nationwide organization provides such essentials as emergency housing, food, clothing, and bus tickets, working with other veterans' organization to ensure that no gaps exist in helping service personnel. Last year, the Legion also established a national homeless veterans program called Leave the Streets Behind.
People can learn more about the annual fundraising event by visiting www.legion.ca/honour-remember/the-poppy-campaign.
