Gerald Waldern (right) presents a cheque for $2,000 to the Christmas Kettle Campaign. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Salvation Army launches Christmas Kettle Campaign in Lethbridge with $150,000 goal

Nov 15, 2019 | 12:32 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – It does not truly feel like Christmas until the kettles come out and the Salvation Army starts to raise funds to help those in need.

Major Donald Bladen says they will have kettles and volunteers stationed at six locations in Lethbridge – Park Place Mall, Costco, both Walmarts, and both Save-On-Foods.

Last year, the Salvation Army raised just shy of $150,000 so they are looking to reach that benchmark in 2019.

“Lethbridge has been very generous, people have been very kind, and I think the city of Lethbridge in general truly does appreciate the work of the Salvation Army.”

The group is looking to innovate this time around and allow people to donate even if they do not have cash on them.

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“We’re gonna introduce debit machines, so wireless debit terminals at a couple of our kettle locations this year and we’re going to see how that goes. It’s had a lot of success in other communities and a lot of people like to tap their card or insert their card and provide a donation through that means.”

Major Bladen believes this will have a big impact on donations as more and more people carry little-to-no cash. This has lead many to making much smaller donations than they might have otherwise.

100% of the money raised in Lethbridge will stay in Lethbridge to support local causes.

Some of these include the youth hot meal program, sending children to camp, and providing vouchers and other tangible supports to families in need.

While the Christmas Kettle Campaign just launched Friday morning, they have already received a couple of significant donations.

Gerald Waldern, the Past Grand Master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Alberta presented a cheque for $2,000.

This is not the only way he and his group are involved in the campaign.

“The Masons provide the labour to man this kettle from the kickoff right through to December 24th at the mall here so the Army doesn’t have to deal with having any manpower here – we’ve taken that all on for them.”

Shirley Weigelt with the Masons #43 Grand Chapter of Alberta – Order of Eastern Star also donated $1,000.

She recounted a time when her grandchildren were struggling financially and relied on the assistance of the Salvation Army. For this, Weigelt says she will always support the Christmas Kettle Campaign.