Red kettles will soon be stationed across the community, but Sarnia's Salvation Army is still looking for volunteers to help out.
The annual campaign officially kicks off on Thursday, November 12.
"We are looking for as many [volunteers] as we can get," said Captain Brad Webster. "It takes well over 100 volunteers to run our campaign every year."
Kettles will be located at Lambton Mall, the Real Canadian Superstore, Canadian Tire, Walmart, and Metro (Northgate plaza). Webster said in December, the campaign will expand to the Lakeshore and Quinn Drive LCBO locations, No Frills in Corunna, and Foodland in Corunna.
In November, kettles will be out Thursday, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. In December, they'll be out Monday to Saturday during the same time.
However, kettles at the LCBO locations will only be out Fridays and Saturdays in December.
Kettle Coordinator Brenda Dunn said members of the Kiwanis Golden K club have already volunteered to handle the Lakeshore LCBO location, now they need to fill the Quinn Drive LCBO.
"We don't want to miss out on an opportunity to have a kettle there," Dunn said.
Those interested in volunteering can contact Dunn at 548-997-0750.
Red kettles will be out until noon on Christmas Eve, December 24.
This year's goal is to raise $178,000.
"Last year, our goal was $175,000. After everything was said and done and all of the numbers were in, we ended up raising $190,413," Webster said. "Our kettle goal this year has gone up a small amount."
Money raised will support different programs available through the local Salvation Army.
"It'll go into things like our food bank, all of our outreach programs; we have a truck that goes out and feeds people at low-income housing every month," said Webster, adding it also supports rental and utility assistance programs.
Webster said the need has definitely changed.
"Year after year, we see the need, especially through the food bank, go up," he said.
Earlier this year, the Salvation Army Food Bank was forced to temporarily close because of low inventory. Restrictions were lifted after receiving a generous donation.
Meanwhile, the Salvation Army Thrift Store, located at 122 Christina St. N, closed in September.
Webster said unfortunately, the thrift store had been financially unsustainable for nearly a year.
"It wasn't an easy decision for us but it's something that had to happen," he said.
The store will open once more on Saturday, November 7, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., to get rid of remaining inventory. Everything, except for shelves and racks, will be available at no charge.
