(l-r) Krista Buttenaar, Cedars Christian Choir Director, Kim Warren, Salvation Army Captain Neil Wilkinson, Kettle Volunteer, Murray Odegaard

Prince George, BC – It was a festive launch to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign at Pine Centre Mall yesterday afternoon, as the familiar red stands made their annual return to 15 locations across the city.

With Krista Buttenaar and Kim Warren singing Christmas Carols in the background, the kettle launch at the mall signalled the launch of a new partnership.  Pine Centre Mall Marketing Manager, Sandra Raymont, explains, "Not only have we invited the Salvation Army to come to their regular stations at the door to collect funds for the Kettle Campaign, but we’re also collecting food for the Food Bank and our big thought is ‘Fill A Cart’ – what do you have that can help benefit those that are in need at Christmas time."

Raymont says the challenge is on to see just how many pounds of food the mall can collect for the Sally Ann’s Food Bank.  In addition, the mall will be selling special holiday boxes for their gift cards at Customer Service.  "One dollar from each box will go directly to the Food Bank," says Raymont.  "We’re hoping to sell two-thousand gift boxes and two-thousand dollars will go to the Food Bank."

Captain Neil Wilkinson says the Salvation Army is really excited about the ongoing partnerships with local businesses.  "Pine Centre is one of many that get behind the Salvation Army and it’s great for us and it’s great for the community, as well."  Wilkinson says that with 800 local families using the Food Bank each month, it’s these kind of partnerships that keep the local community strong.  He points out the Sally Ann strives to buy its supplies locally, which, in turn, boosts the local economy.

While the Salvation Army fell $40-thousand dollars short of its $250-thousand dollar goal last year, Captain Wilkinson is quite confident city kettles will hit that mark this year.  He says while it sounds like a large amount that should stretch far, when you consider it’s being used to feed 800 families per month for 12 months of the year, "It’s a miracle we’re able to take that little amount of money and stretch it out to do so much good."

"So we’re very, very grateful for the ongoing support of the community."

This is Murray Odegaard’s 7th or 8th year of volunteering for the Kettle Campaign, he says it’s such a good cause that he never hesitates to step up when he gets a yearly call to see if he’s still interested. 

Those willing to volunteer at one of the city’s kettles for a couple of hours over the next five weeks of the campaign are asked to call the Salvation Army at 250-564-4444, or stop by the office at 777 Ospika Boulevard.