With the sound of jingle bells ringing in the air, Christmas can鈥檛 be far behind. Thanks to the red kettles of the , these bells signal that the holidays 鈥� and the year ahead 鈥� will be far brighter for many in 91原创 and Aldergrove.
鈥淭he annual Christmas Kettle Campaign is a lot of fun and brings lots of Christmas cheer,鈥� says Julie Gilfillan, Fundraising Coordinator for the Gateway of Hope.
From Nov. 16 through Dec. 24, volunteers will be ringing the bells and wishing a Merry Christmas to passersby as they welcome vital donations for the annual campaign.
How vital?
鈥淭he community donations we receive through the kettle campaign help fund our programs throughout the year,鈥� Gilfillan says.
鈥淓verything from community meals and Christmas food hampers to kids鈥� camp and school supplies. These and so many more services would not be possible without donations from the community during this campaign. Thank you 91原创 for the generosity demonstrated each year.鈥�
It is important to note that all funds raised in the Gateway of Hope鈥檚 Christmas Kettle campaign stay in 91原创 and Aldergrove.
While fundraising is underway, more volunteers are needed鈥� and welcome!
鈥淲e have 3,000 shifts we need to fill throughout the campaign and we couldn鈥檛 do it without volunteers,鈥� Gilfillan says.
Individuals, families, businesses and community groups 鈥� all are invited to take part, with shifts available at many busy public locations Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
鈥淲e have one youth group that has taken 10 kettles for an entire night,鈥� Gilfillan notes.
All are welcome, however children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great way to teach kids about giving back to the community by volunteering, and it鈥檚 a great way to give back together.鈥�
Among the new locations this year are three Vancouver Giants games: Dec. 2, 14 and 16.
Also available are $300 kettle sponsorships, providing business names and logos on top of a kettle for the entire campaign. 鈥淭here are lots of opportunities to get involved,鈥� Gilfillan says.
Ready to get involved?
Call Carl, the Kettle Coordinator at the at 604-514-7375 or email kettles@gatewayofhope.ca to learn more or to volunteer.