Salvation Army ‘Grateful to be able to help’
By Craig Westcott
The CBS Corps of the Salvation Army had a beautiful bright Saturday to launch its annual Christmas Kettle campaign this year, but as welcome as the sun was outside, the festive atmosphere inside Dominion supermarket in Long Pond was even more sparkling.
Grocery shoppers joined Majors Chris and Claudette Pilgrim and local dignitaries as they sang carols in time with the Salvation Army band.
“When we hear the carols and the sound of the band playing, we know it’s Christmas,” said Major Chris Pilgrim. “It’s always exciting and wonderful to be together for such a time as this… We’re glad you’re here… And as we get into this season, it will certainly be a season of giving.”
Kettle campaign coordinator Randy Butler has set a goal of $95,000 to be raised this season, some $5,000 more than last year’s amount which was just $500 shy of $90K.
“He’s a man of faith,” said Pilgrim, referring to Butler. “And together we’re people of faith and we believe that it can happen through the generous donations of the folks here in CBS.”
The kettles are located at Dominion, Sobeys, the NLC outlet next to Sobey’s, and Piper’s in Kelligrews. The kettles are equipped with electronic tap features to accept debit card payments from donors who don’t carry cash.
“We’re looking forward to the community support once again,” said Pilgrim. “As you give, you’re giving to help others, not just throughout the Christmas season, but throughout the year. And I just want you to know that every dollar that’s put in the Christmas kettle here in CBS stays in CBS. It’s for the work that the Salvation Army does here in CBS to help the needs of others. So, we just want to thank you in advance for that opportunity to be able to give back again to this beautiful town and to those in need.”
It’s the seventh Christmas in CBS for the Pilgrims.
Deputy Mayor Andrea Gosse said it was an honour to bring greetings on behalf of the Town.
“You can go whenever you like out to the stores at whatever time you like,” said Gosse, “for me the holiday season is really signified when I see the Salvation Army kettle go out, and then I know the holidays are here.”
Gosse said the Salvation Army makes an amazing contribution to the community throughout the year by rallying volunteers and doing good works.
“You inspire people to give,” said Gosse. “You inspire everyone to reach into their pockets, whether it’s a little bit or a lot. To me that’s the true meaning of the holidays. So as a community we are very blessed and very thankful for all that you do with this campaign and bringing people out and inspiring us to be mindful of the needs of others.”
Avalon MP Paul Connors also thanked the Salvation Army for its good works.
“It’s so important that all the money raised through the Christmas kettle stays here in the community of Conception Bay South. When the fires broke out this year, there were those who were in need and the Salvation Army was one of the first groups of people there to help out. When there are disasters, the Salvation Army is there. Last year, I remember, when I was on council, the Town wanted to do a Christmas turkey collection and we had no one to take the turkeys. We reached out to Major Pilgrim, and without even thinking, he said,’ Yes, we’ll take them.’ And they took all the turkeys and got them all distributed… I just want to say, thank you, thank you, thank you to the Salvation Army for everything that you do.”
Butler noted there are 664 shifts to be covered at the kettles this year. “At last count, I was well under 200,” he added. “In CBS it’s always good, we never have a problem with our volunteers and everyone showing up.”
Conception Bay South MHA and newly named Transportation Minister Barry Petten wished Butler well in reaching this year’s goal. The event was Petten’s 11th time attending a kettle campaign launch.
“We hear it everyday, people are in need,” said Petten. “And the Salvation Army are the first people they turn to.”
Petten said CBS is blessed to have the Salvation Army in the community.
“I’m not a member of the Salvation Army, but I almost feel like I am,” said Petten. “What the Salvation Army brings to our community, our province and our people is amazing. I’ve always said, we’re a better community with them in it than without them.”
Petten also thanked the Pilgrims, who hail from the Great Northern Peninsula, for all their efforts and offered his wish that their ministry keeps them a while longer in CBS, an acknowledgement that as with many denominations, pastors in the Salvation Army are often transferred around the province.
Pilgrim thanked Petten and everyone else on hand who helped launch this year’s campaign.
“It’s wonderful to see the outpouring of support by so many people,” he said. “It’s what makes this successful.”
The money is used for grocery cards for people who need food, gas cards for people who need that help to get to a medical appointment, even prescriptions for people who have fallen on hard times, and to prevent their light bills from being cut.
“There’s a lot of needs, friends,” said Pilgrim. “There are a lot of needs, and we have the privilege of being able to help out in so many different ways… We have no doubt that this Christmas season will bring about some hardship for a number of people, and they’ll wonder where the next cent will come from. They’ll wonder, ‘How am I going to buy a gift, how am I going to be able to pay the bills, how am I going to be able to get groceries?’ We’re going to hear from a lot of people over this season, and we thank God that we have the resources to be able to give back and to help these people in such hard times. And it’s through the faithfulness and dedication of so many people who are willing to give. They believe in the Salvation Army and what we do, and we are humbled that you do, and we thank you so much for that.”