While the temporary absence of snow means it doesn't look a lot like Christmas is on its way, in stores and malls throughout Alberta it's sounding a lot like the season is here.  

On Friday (November 15) Salvation Army volunteers began ringing bells to let people know that the Christmas Kettle campaign has begun for 2019.  Country music star Paul Brand kicked off the campaign at the Hope in the City luncheon in Calgary.

This year, the goal of the campaign is to raise $1.1 million.  Major Al Hoeft is the Army's Division Secretary for Public Relations and Marketing and explains what the money is used for.  "The money is for all of our community-based programs including the work we do with families, the work we do in providing supports for new immigrants, the work that we do providing meals.  All of the work that we're doing every day, all year round, gets supported by this."

Hoeft says the funds are also used for some very special Christmas programs as well.  "We give toys to kids.  We're expecting to give toys to nearly 8,000 kids this Christmas season."

Last year, in response to protests from so many people who said they no longer carried cash and couldn't give to the campaign, the Army installed about 20 point-of-sale machines in the Calgary area.  This year, they'll be in locations throughout the province.

"People will be able to tap and donate right there," Hoeft explains.  "That's a great opportunity and a lot of people are taking advantage of that, especially people that don't carry cash anymore."  He says last year's point-of-sale experiment added about seven to 10 percent to the total that was raised.  Alberta raised the highest total in the country.  

Hoeft says the economic climate in Alberta has led to people using the services the Salvation Army offers that have never done so before.  At the same time, he says Albertans are known for their generosity.  "They're very supportive and they're very good at stepping up to the plate to support one another.  We've seen that and we believe we'll see it again this year.  The people will dig that little bit deeper to help their neighbour."

Anyone who would like to help the Army out and man one of the kettles can get more information at tsacalgarykettles.com  and register to volunteer. 

Locally the kettles can be found at the Airdrie Walmart store and in the Cross Iron Mills Mall. 

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