Salvation Army concludes successful campaign
Patrick Jones
?Downtown Belize City is the busiest I?ve seen it in quite a while and people are going here, going there, vehicles going down the street can only mean one thing…last minute shoppers picking up just what they need for Christmas Day tomorrow.?
?For the last three weeks or so, the Salvation Army has been round and about Belize City with their annual Christmas appeal in which they will be depending on you, the general public, to assist in making Christmas a little bit brighter for the nation?s less privilege. To find out just how that campaign has been so far, we are going back to my colleague Jacqueline Woods, who will be speaking with those good old folks who have been the ringing the bells on the streets of Belize City.?
Jacqueline Woods
?And in my company I have the Regional Commander, Major Errol Robateau. A pleasant good evening to you Major. This is the last day for the kettle appeal, what has the reponse been like??
Major Errol Robateau, Regional Commander, Salvation Army
?Well it?s been very good and I am grateful to the people. I checked today and we have done over fifteen thousand dollars on the kettles, which I think is fifteen percent more than last year. So we are very happy about that. The people really responded.?
Jacqueline Woods
?How important is this drive??
Major Errol Robateau
?It?s very important for the reason and that there are somethings money needs to buy. The people have responded very much, but there are things we had to buy such as the food stuff for the older folks, the stuff that we carry to the senior citizens and of course other bills. Some of the people on the kettle get a stipend so that they would have something for the Christmas. We have to pay all the Christmas workers. So you know, a lot of expenditure is involved in the kettle.?
Jacqueline Woods
?And this is only one of many activities that Salvation Army holds at this time of the year. I know this evening, members of the band have been performing out here. What other events will you be holding??
Major Errol Robateau
?Well, right now we are kind of whining down. We had a Christmas service last week and after the Christmas, we will be going to the country area with toys. We have some toys that are left over and we will be looking for children from the villages. We cant say exactly where because we don?t want the children to anticipate us and then we don?t come. We will try to do as much as we can both on the Northern Road and on the Western Highway.?
Jacqueline Woods
?Any special greetings you would like to send out at this time??
Major Errol Robateau
?Yes, I would like to say first of all, thanks to the Belizean people. They have really responded. They have welcomed me back, my wife and I and we are happy for the response they have given. We would like to wish them a very Merry Christmas. I would like to say to the people who have been recipients of the things we have shared with them that they be appreciative of it and that they give thanks to God because this is what it is all about. The message of the angel is joy to the world, to bring joy and also peace on earth and goodwill to all men. We have done the goodwill part but we want them to seek the peace of God which pass at all understanding.?
Jacqueline Woods
?Well Major may you and your family have a blessed and Merry Christmas.?
Let?s hear from the members of the Salvation Army Band.?
(Band plays music)
Patrick Jones
?It?s a wish from the Salvation Army and of course, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas.?
Jacqueline Woods
?Yes, like you said, Patrick, we would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe one at that.?
Patrick Jones
?It?s a long weekend and although we are in the news business Jackie, we wouldn?t want to come back here on Tuesday and have to be reporting on a long list of crime and violence and accidents and what have you. So please celebrate responsibly.?
