It's time again to start warming up your singing voice and limbering up your bell-ringing arm. The Salvation Army is kicking off its campaign to find hosts for its Christmas donation kettles.
Volunteers are needed to host the kettles at major Burnaby locations from the morning of Nov. 15, right up until the afternoon of Christmas Eve.
"It's a major project and the biggest thing is the supply of volunteers - people giving back to the community," said David Wilfong, kettle co-ordinator for the Cariboo Hill Salvation Army.
Volunteers are asked to put in two-to four-hour shifts at one of 15 kettle locations at major shopping locales in town.
Money raised from the kettles goes directly back to needy folks in Burnaby who the Salvation Army serves.
"There are people within our community that have needs and unfortunately they're in a situation where they cannot meet them financially. The second greatest commandment is to help others. One of the great feelings is helping someone and not expecting to receive anything back for it. You just do it because it is the right thing to do," Wilfong said.
The Salvation Army is hoping to recruit from the B.C. Institute of Technology, local sports teams and service clubs, but anyone can sign up as an individual or group. Families are encouraged to "adopt" kettles for a long shift and take turns greeting donors.
"If they want to sing, I have no problem with that," Wilfong said with a laugh.
To sign up or get more information on being a kettle host in North Burnaby, contact the Cariboo Hill Salvation Army office at 604-525-7311. Residents wanting to help out in the Metrotown area can contact Capt. Lisa Trickett at 604-437-1521.
Wilfong is hosting an orientation night for early sign-ups at the Cariboo Hill Temple on Monday night at 7 p.m. Trickett is hosting a similar meeting on Nov. 1 at 11 a.m. at the Metrotown Citadel.
