Salvation Army representative says community support helped keep Christmas kettles at Avalon Shopping Center

Following public outrage following reports of a ban on Avalon Mall’s iconic red kettle Christmas campaign, a Salvation Army major is thanking the public for their support for the work they do at a time when many people are struggling.

Major Pam Goodyear said she was relieved they were allowed to return to the St. John’s to collect donations.

“Christmas kettles have been around Canada and North America for over 130 years, and in many places around the world,” she told CBC Radio On the way.

“But I must admit my first reaction was relief. As always, we are concerned about our ability to meet the needs of people in our community. We were also concerned about our fundraising efforts.”

Crombie REIT he previously told CBC News this would not allow the Salvation Army to raise funds at the Avalon Mall because it has updated its “community impact strategy” and will no longer work with any religiously affiliated organizations.

A Nova Scotia company said it will enable The Salvation Army to raise funds during the 2024 holiday season. before you back out completely after CBC News reported the decision.

Fundraising challenges

Goodyear said Salvation Army members are also relieved they will be able to stop at the Avalon Shopping Center.

“It’s always a challenge for us to raise funds every year, but we’re relieved again that we’ll be able to do the work we’ve done here,” she said.

She said that in St. John’s organization helps 900 families each month through its food bank and 300 people three days a week through its Community Meal Program.

“This is happening across the island and our funding is essential to keeping these programs going,” Goodyear said.

She added that funds from the Christmas kettle campaign stay in the community, adding that last year the campaign managed to provide gifts to almost 3,000 children at St. John’s, as well as baskets for 2,000 families.

“We expect to repeat such numbers this year. We couldn’t have achieved this without the funds donated in the form of kettles. But the kettles also support our year-round programs,” Goodyear said.

Goodyear said there are people who are struggling financially, having difficulty paying rent, utilities and groceries, as well as buying gifts for their children for the holidays.

“The donations we receive are the answer to this dilemma for so many,” she said.

Goodyear is grateful to Crombie REIT for reversing its decision and for the support The Salvation Army has received from the public and the broader business community.

“It’s not about the Salvation Army, it’s about the people we can help because the public gets involved and supports The Salvation Army.”

She added that not only has there been a lot of support from people, but also from businesses and businesses who have asked the Salvation Army to set up its kettles in other stores.

“It was just phenomenal.”

Community support

Karla White, who wrote a widely publicized social media post about the Avalon Mall exclusion, said the reversal is a sign of what can be accomplished if people raise their voices together.

“I don’t think anyone really realizes how much of an impact a lot of people can have. When we all stand together for the same cause and make our voices heard,” she told CBC Radio On the way.

When you go against a large company, it’s not often that people can make an impact, White said, but in this case they actually did.

White said this was a positive result and she hopes people will take time to donate to charity this holiday season.

“Even the smallest amount of time and money can certainly make a huge difference to those in need.”

When Crombie REIT initially announced it was parting ways with the Salvation Army, Goodyear said it immediately began looking for alternative ways to raise funds.

“We immediately started thinking about how we could inform the community to donate to the kettles we have in other locations throughout the city.”

Another alternative is to encourage people to donate directly through the website or by phone, she added.

“We looked at the publicity plan and hoped the community would step up,” Goodyear said.

Another complication is the ongoing Canada Post strike — which will soon enter its third week — which is impacting the post office’s fundraising, Goodyear said.

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