Pirates help kick off Salvation Army Kettle Campaign

The Picton Pirates picked up a nice assist prior to their home game Thursday night against the Campbellford Rebels and it didn’t take a crisp pass to do it.

Huff Estates Arena was the setting for the Picton Salvation Army’s is official launch of its 2021 Christmas Kettle Campaign. The Christmas Kettle Campaign which runs through to December 24th, 2021 includes four Christmas Kettles located in stores around Picton.

Money raised during the campaign stays local, helping to fund vital programs serving people in need in the community. Funds raised through the kettles assist people with such things as food, clothing, and emergency shelter.

Knowing representatives of the Salvation Army would be dropping a ceremonial puck prior to the game, a number of Pirates vets took up a collection amongst themselves in the week leading up to the game, filling an empty water bottle with change and bills.

Picton’s captain Devin Morrison presented Joseph and Donna Ludlow with contents prior to puck drop and the first contribution of the year was well in excess of $100.

“Anything we can do to help the people of Picton have a Merry Christmas is a way of saying thanks for the support they give us every year, especially when we couldn’t play at home last season,” Morrison said.

Joseph Ludlow mentioned the church has seen a significant increase in need this year. Last month the Picton chapter assisted 159 people which amounts to 54 households. Last Christmas the Salvation Army provided over 100 Food Hampers and Toy Hampers and the need is expected to me far greater in 2021.

“Our Campaign raised $41,000 in 2020 to support local services. To meet the increasing need, our goal this year to $55,000,” Joseph said. “We are very grateful for the generous support of the community as we work together to meet the increasing need.”

Without volunteers manning kettles, this level of support couldn’t be raised to meet the local needs and Ludlow added he and members were grateful for all community members that step forward, ring sleigh bells and wish a merry Christmas to those how dig deep into pockets, wallets and purses.

“We need to fill over 800 volunteer hours to make this campaign possible so Salvation Army is in need of Christmas Kettle Volunteers,” added Donna Ludlow.

To register as a volunteer please drop by The Salvation Army at 46 Elizabeth Street between 9am-2pm or call 613-476-3159.