Salvation Army warms hearts all year with December donations

Gord Lockhart and Diana Dickey from Sutton Seafair and Deb Robson from Remax Westcoast, are among the team of local realtors who volunteered in this year’s Realtors Care Blanket Drive, benefiting the Salvation Army Richmond.

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They’re outside storefronts, malls and even the casino ringing bells for the less fortunate.

A small army of workers have been dutifully drawing attention to the Christmas kettles located around the city, collecting money for the Salvation Army Richmond branch.

Kettle donations, which are accepted until Christmas, go toward the branch’s weekly community luncheon, helps people buy groceries throughout the year and funds the operation of a local 10-bed shelter.

Each year the branch also warms hearts during the Christmas season by hosting a Christmas dinner and offering low-income families their choice of winter coats and warm clothes—collected largely by local realtors—to take home.

According to the Salvation Army B.C., donations to the kettles are down this year across the province.

“The dollars raised through this effort are not only used at Christmas time, but throughout the year as the funds provide resources for our overall operation for the year ahead.  We want to encourage supporters to please donate when they see a kettle and help,” said Major Ken Ritson.

Last year, generous donors across B.C. contributed $3.8 million to the cause. This year’s province-wide goal is $4 million.

•Salvation Army Richmond donations can be made at Christmas Kettles set up at retail centres around the city or by mail: 8280 Gilbert Rd.; Richmond, BC; V7C 3W7.