Decorations, lights, candy canes, carols and … kettles.
The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign is one of the largest and most recognizable annual charitable events, so synonymous with the season that it has become a part of pop culture, featured in the background of many movies and televisions shows.
The origins of kettles dates back to 1891 when Capt. Joseph McFee wanted to help the vulnerable in San Francisco, especially at Christmastime, but he didn’t know how to go about getting funding to do so. He recalled seeing in his days as a sailor in Liverpool, England a large kettle placed on a dock into which passengers tossed coins to help the poor.
That memory led Capt. McFee to place a pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing, along with a sign that read, “Keep the Pot Boiling”, which collected enough money to hold a Christmas dinner for the needy in the community. Little did he realize that kettle would flourish to more than 2,000 across Canada today, continuing the tradition of fighting poverty.
The Salvation Army Central York Region operates a number of kettles in Aurora, East Gwillimbury and Bradford, as well as eight in Newmarket. Donations help provide food, clothing, toys, counselling and other practical assistance, as well as help those in danger of eviction or with no place to stay, bringing hope for a brighter future and the start of a new life.
“All money raised through kettles stays local, directly helping the community in which the funds are donated,” said Nancy Harrison, community and public relations for Salvation Army Central York Region.
How can you help?
• Give where you live: Make a donation when you pass by a kettle at a local retailer or go to www.fillthekettle.com (funds will go to the community of the giver’s postal code).
• Give your time: The Salvation Army depends on support from community groups and individuals to fill kettle shifts.
“Please help us help others,” Harrison said. “Kettle shifts are just two hours long and you can schedule based on your availability. Consider giving the precious gift of time this Christmas season.”
Where you can find Christmas kettles in Newmarket
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Upper Canada Mall (three kettles) Monday to Saturday, Nov. 15 to Dec. 24
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Real Canadian Superstore Greenlane Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23 to Dec. 24
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LCBO (Yonge and Davis, Leslie south of Davis, and Greenlane) Monday to Saturday, Dec. 1 to 24
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Costco Monday to Saturday, Dec. 10 to 24
To become a kettle volunteer, contact Nancy Harrison at [email protected] or sign in to the kettle volunteer system here.
Salvation Army Central York Region invites you to the 2018 Christmas Kettle Kickoff at Upper Canada Mall Thursday, Nov. 15 at 10:30 a.m.
