The following is Ward 2 city councillor Vicki Beard’s speech at the kickoff for the local Salvation Army’s annual Kettle Campaign. The kettle campaign runs until Dec. 24 and is aiming to collect $140,000. As of Dec. 19, it had raised $118,900 –85% of its goal. Funds help provide Christmas hampers to local families in need. The organization expects to distribute about 1,400 hampers filled with gifts and food to families this year. They go out on Dec. 23. Last year, it provided 1,200 hampers.
I’m delighted to be here to offer greetings and best wishes on behalf of Mayor Karen Farbridge and the City of Guelph.
Your kettles bring back fond memories. My first introduction to them was as a child when my grandmother would take me into town shopping. Attitudes were very different then and tolerance for different religions wasn’t popular. I remember asking her who were those people and why do they collect money.
She said in a very kind voice, “Oh, that’s the Salvation Army, and they’re collecting money to give to the poor at Christmas.” I think that kind voice was the voice of understanding as to role of the Salvation Army during the Great Depression.
I would also like to relate to you another experience when I was a single parent and student, as well as working part-time. My friend borrowed a car to pick up the Christmas turkeys so kindly given to us.
The car was a huge Lincoln Continental in very good shape. The picture of this expensive car and our need for the turkeys didn’t match. We were both worried that the Salvation Army folks would think we didn’t really need the turkeys if they saw the car. Well, no questions were asked and we didn’t have to show the ownership.
So I’ve been on both the receiving and the giving end of your donations, and I’m grateful for both those experiences.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Salvation Army for all the good work you do in our community, at Christmas time and throughout the year.
I know it takes a lot of work to run the “Toss a Toonie” campaign. You have many volunteers who staff the kettle locations, organize food and toy drives, pack Christmas hampers, and much more.
You do all of this during a season that is already very busy for most families.
Thank you for giving your time to help those in need in our community.
Your efforts are especially important now. Guelph is feeling the effects of the economic downturn. As you know, W. C. Woods just closed and more people are out of work.
That’s why we are so grateful that the Salvation Army is there to help those in need –just as you always have been, throughout your long history in our community.
I know the people of Guelph are very generous and will dig deeper and donate even more this year to support the campaign.
After all, we are a city that was named Canada’s most caring community by Maclean’s magazine!
That caring spirit is certainly evident tonight. Once again, thank you to all the volunteers and all the
donors. You are making a significant difference in our community.