The Salvation Army’s cheery red kettles and smiling volunteers are familiar sights at the holidays, but what’s less well-known is how those vital donations of time and money help local people.
“It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year,” says Krista Hannan, from The Salvation Army Gateway of Hope, noting all money donated in Langley stays in Langley. “All donations we gratefully receive go directly to our much-needed programs and services right here in Langley and Aldergrove.”
With a $150,000 local goal this year, the campaign runs Nov. 20 to Dec. 23, with about 100 volunteer shifts each day.
Kettles are hosted at more than 20 locations and volunteer shifts begin at just two hours, making it easy for locals to spread holiday cheer. “We’d love to have volunteers for multiple shifts, but if two hours is all you can do, that’s wonderful,” Hannan says.
Companies and community groups also get involved, sharing a day’s worth of volunteer shifts at one kettle, for example.
Also new this year are $275 sponsorships, with company logos applied to kettles in high-profile locations. “Every dollar makes a difference.”
Where donations go
Gateway of Hope provides many vital services in Langley, designed to complement those provided by other community organizations. Christmas food hampers, for example, focus on singles, seniors and couples without children.
“The great thing about Gateway of Hope is we fill a need, we don’t duplicate what’s out there,” Hannan says.
More and more, the organization is seeing seniors caught in the Lower Mainland’s rising cost of living. Pensions aren’t keeping up and they’re turning to shelters and food banks for support.
Funds also send children from Langley and Aldergrove to the Salvation Army’s Camp Sunrise and provides backpacks filled with school supplies to local students.
Understanding nutrition and personal connections are vital to continued good health and wellness, Gateway of Hope hosts regular community dinners and the six-week Skillet 101, both open to anyone in the community.
How can you volunteer at a red kettle?
- Visit gatewayofhope.ca and click the button to complete the online application.
- Pick up or fill out the Kettle Volunteer Application, print and bring in to Gateway of Hope, 5787 Langley Bypass, or scan and email to Kettles@gatewayofhope.ca
- Wait for your welcome email. You may be contacted by email or phone for orientation information. Depending on your availability, you’ll be contacted by email 1 to 2 weeks before your first shift. Volunteer supplies will be with the kettle at your designated location, however volunteers will be asked to come in person to pick up their volunteer nametag.
For more information, email kettles@gatewayofhope.ca or call the Kettle Co-ordinator at 604-514-7375. Learn more about Gateway of Hope’s many initiatives at gatewayofhope.ca or on Facebook.
