Salvation Army launches Kettle Appeal
It’s a regular feature on the Belizean Christmas Calendar: The Salvation Army’s Kettle Appeal. But as News Five’s Jacqueline Godwin reports, this year organizers are counting on your generosity to give hundreds of needy Belizean children a happy holiday.
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
This year, the Salvation Army hopes to raise twenty thousand dollars through its annual Christmas kettle appeal.
Major Errol Robateau, Regional Commander, Salvation Army
?We believe that joy is a part of Christmas and that?s the purpose of our Lord Jesus Christ, he brought joy to the world. This is expressed in one of our carols, ?Joy to the World, the Lord has Come.? We pray that with the support of our people that indeed we will be able to bring joy to many children.?
The yearly fund raising drive was officially launched this morning during a brief ceremony on Albert Street.
Major Errol Robateau
?There is nothing special about the appeal it is something we do every year. I think that need is not something special; need is a reality that we have to face. I think that if the people can share a little bit of what they have along with the Kettle Appeal, which is our toy drive?if people don?t have the money to give they can look in the cupboards because they might have good toys that the children are not using then they can have the children themselves say, well I want to give that toy to a needy person. It would also train them in the art of giving and I think that that would make Christmas a joyable time.?
The Salvation Army?s regional commander major Errol Robateau says while countrywide efforts did not meet the 2005 target, this year members remain optimistic that over the next six weeks Belizeans will give generously in 2006.
Major Errol Robateau
?We use it specifically to give the children. Over two or three thousand it depends on how much we receive. Last year we gave out two thousand five hundred or more toys. A thousand in Belize City and then we go to the rural areas and we give out the toys to the districts, to the needy children in those little villages.?
The kettles will posted be at the usual outlets, including Brodies, Angelus Press, Save?U, Malic?s and the Tourism Village.
Major Errol Robateau
?What I would appeal for is volunteers for the Kettles because this is what we are short of. A lot of our members are dying out. They are getting old and the work goes on. I am getting a little grey myself so soon I won?t be here, but while I am here it is my intention to do my part not only for the children but for the elderly as well.?
Reporting for News Five, Jacqueline Godwin.
The 2005 Christmas Kettle Appeal only managed to raise nineteen thousand, nine hundred dollars.
