Singer, Jaymi Walker, performs for crowd at Kettle Campaign kick-off at Pine Cenre Mall    250News photo

Prince George, BC – If yesterday's snowfall wasn't a reminder, then local singer, Jaymi Walker's, performance at the Salvation Army's 2013 Kettle Campaign launch was – Christmas is on its way…

During her performance, Walker encouraged the crowd gathered at the mall's Centre Court snow globes to remember the season is truly about giving.

Last night marked the second year the Salvation Army has hosted an official kick-off for the Christmas Kettle Campaign.  "That's really what it's about – it's about a kind of 'kick-start', so that we get things rolling," says Area Commander, Major Al Hoeft.  (click on photo at right for video clip)

"It not only gets our people ramped up for it and everybody ready to go," he says, "Bit it raises awareness in the community."  The kettles are now up at 10 locations throughout the city, six days a week, right up until 4pm on Christmas Eve.

This year's goal is $250-thousand dollars, and although the campaign fell slightly short of that mark last year, Hoeft says it's what's needed, "We set a target because we know that we have a certain amount that we need to get us through the Christmas season."

"But we depend on the residual from that to help us continue our work in the community throughout the year."  He adds, "This is our one major push every year."

Hoeft says the local Salvation Army is planning to help more than 600 families with Christmas hampers this year.  For more information on the hamper program or to volunteer for one of the kettles, call 250-564-4000.