Perhaps it's a sign of how tough an economic time we're living in, but donations at the iconic Salvation Army Christmas kettles are down more than 10 per cent from last year in Burnaby.
Capt. Lisa Trickett of the Metrotown Salvation Army Citadel told the Burnaby NOW on Wednesday morning that while the numbers are down, hope is still high.
"Last year, we were at about $40,000, and now we're at about $35,000, so that means we're about $5,000 down," she said. "We'll be out right until Christmas Eve afternoon, and we really do appreciate anything that people can give."
Trickett said one positive thing that has happened this year is an increase in targeted donations, such as more people volunteering for the Adopt-a-Family program, which allows people to sponsor a particular family.
"People are wanting to help others in different ways," she said. "The need is great this year. People are struggling, and we do appreciate any and all help."
Trickett said the donations are counted nightly and inputted into a computer system that tells them exactly what their numbers are in relation to last year.
The kettles, which can be found all throughout the city, often at major shopping areas, are a major fundraiser for the Salvation Army, with many of the people who ring the bells volunteers.
In neighbouring New Westminster, Capt. Dave Macpherson echoed Trickett's notion that numbers are down, but that's only a recent development.
"We got off to a good start and we were up, but in the last couple of weeks, our numbers have trended downward," said Macpherson. "If we keep with this trend, we'll be down overall, but I'm hoping people really reach into the hearts and help us out."
Macpherson said there are approximately 20 kettle locations in the Royal City, and he expects most, if not all of them, to be in full operation on Dec. 23 and Christmas Eve.
"We'll be going hard, right until 9 p.m. on Friday and for probably four hours, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve," he said. "We're hoping to get our numbers up and help more people."
Macpherson admitted that a recent media report about a kettle worker allegedly taking money instead of putting it in a Surrey kettle hasn't helped matters, but he assured people that type of inappropriate behaviour has not happened under his watch in New Westminster and the Tri-Cities.
"We always tell our bellringers that people should be putting the money themselves into the kettles," he said. "We've reiterated to our supervisors and to the (bellringers) that that's what should be done."
The Salvation Army regularly receives high marks from the American Institute of Philanthropy in their annual charity rating guide in terms of proceeds actually helping people in need rather than going towards overhead and executives' salaries.
In New Westminster, some of the charitable initiatives the organization is involved in include a special Christmas Bureau toy store that helps low-income families put toys under the tree; a Christmas dinner and an extreme weather shelter for when it gets too cold for people to sleep on the streets.
While the kettle campaign ends this weekend, the Salvation Army is always looking for volunteers. In New Westminster, call 604-521-8223 or stop by 325 Sixth St. In Burnaby, the Metrotown Citadel is located at 6125 Nelson Ave., phone 604-437-1521. On the Internet, visit www. salvationarmy.ca for more information on how to give or receive help.
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