The Christmas fundraising bells are ringing

• Donations go to families in need
• Can make donations with bank cards

The bells are ringing outside several locations across Kelowna heralding the start of the 2021 Salvation Army Christmas Red Kettle Campaign.

It is the 131st edition of the fundraiser aimed at helping families with the basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, and shelter.

“The money goes primarily to our Christmas outreach, which feeds and gives gifts to something in the order of around 800 families here in Kelowna,” Pastor and local campaign leader Mark Wagner told Kelowna10, when reflecting on last year's efforts.

“It may be with the new tragedies that are happening around us, and that would probably come up to around 1,800 to 2,000 people when you start counting the children in.”

The number of households served by The Salvation Army has increased by 11 per cent in 2021 alone. Also, 65 per cent of the children served are between the ages of 6 and 11.

Making a donation is safe and easy.

“The best way is by making cash donations. You’ll see our Christmas kettles all throughout the town. And those are now also equipped with tap tiles. So you can make [a donation], by using your bank card or visa card, you can just tap on those and make a $20, or a $10, or a $5 donation depending on which tile you tap.”

Wagner said the local community has always shown generosity.

“I think last year during COVID we raised more money than we had the year before which is just astonishing. And this year we have piled on top of the normal Christmas needs of course, a fire season, and now a flood season. So it’s going to be a difficult year for many many people”