Annual Salvation Army kettle/toy drive begins

It’s official: the Christmas shopping season has begun. How do we know? Because the Salvation Army kettles are out and the bell ringing has started. News Five was there for the launch this morning on Albert Street… And as we found out, the Salvation Army is as intent as ever to give the less fortunate a Christmas too.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
There are only thirty-seven more days before Christmas and over the next six weeks the Salvation Army is counting on your support to help both the young and old have a brighter holiday season.

Major Errol Robateau, Regional Cmdr., Salvation Army
?A part of the money we get for Christmas is used specifically for the Christmas programme; the other part of it is used to carry us through the year to do other programmes and to make sure that we reach the next Christmas.?

This year the Salvation Army hopes to collect thirty thousand dollars. It is important to remember that not all families can afford to give their children toys already on display at many downtown stores. It is estimated that at least one thousand five hundred children may just not get anything this Christmas. So this weekend when you do your housecleaning if you come across any toy that is in good condition and not being used, drop off at the Salvation Army?s Headquarters Office at number forty-one Regent Street.

Major Errol Robateau
?That?s our main and big appeal, because toys as you know are not cheap. Last year we got a good response. The Rotary Club of Belize helped us, the Oxxy Bank helped us, and we are hoping that these institutions will help us again this year. We got a lot of toys from individuals, from a few companies along and families. We got both new and used toys, so we are again asking if they cannot afford to buy a toy and their child has a toy that they are not using and it is in a good condition that it would be good to explain to that child that they are giving it to help another child who does not have any. And in this way we are not only able to give not only in Belize City, but we also give in the districts areas.?

Kettles will be placed at Brodie’s and Romacs on Albert Street, the Angelus Press on Queen Street, Malic’s Poultry on East Collet Canal, and SaveBU Supermarket. Meanwhile toy contributions can be made during normal working hours at forty-one Regent Street or call 227-3365 if you would like them to come and pick it up. The Salvation Army would like you to remember Caring is Sharing and Sharing is Showing That You Care.