Even if you're not quite "feeling the Christmas" yet, the Salvation Army is, and, as of today, those bells are jingling because it's time for the annual kettle appeal, and with 45 days to go before Christmas, the army hopes to raise $20,000. Can they do it? That's what Keith tried to find out. Here's more.
Keith SwiftReporting,
The singing of Christmas hymns in front of Brodies on Albert Street - it is the surest sign that Christmas "di come." And accompanying the hymns is the familiar jingle of the Salvation Army's bell. This year Belize City Mayor Zenaida Moya launched the kettle appeal. She handed over a check to Major Errol Robateau and says there will be a lot more where that came from.
Mayor Zenaida Moya, Belize City
"We want to work alongside the Salvation Army. All the councilors, including myself and the staff, will be working very hard to ensure that we assist in all fundraising activities that the Salvation Army will be doing this year."
The army has set a target of $20,000. It is the same amount they hoped to raise last year but didn't. They hope it'll be different this year.
Major Errol Robateau, Salvation Army
"We are setting our target, the same as last year, which is $20,000. Last year we didn't raise it, we did $19,000 and a little bit more, so we are
hoping that we will raise that and more this year."
Robateau says the money will be used primarily for their Christmas commitments.
Major Errol Robateau,
"The money is used actually to carry us throughout the year with our program, the bulk of it is spent at Christmas time for the children's dinner. We will be having the dinner for a thousand children and on top of that we ask for toys from the public. We use these toys to give out to the children, those at the dinner, as well as we carry toys to the rural areas and any other thing that we get. Last year some firm gave us biscuits and we were able to share these biscuits with the folks in the rural areas. If they have any imperishable stuff that they know kids will like, we welcome them to share with the kids."
The $20,000 will be raised through direct solicitations to businesses but also in large part from their kettles - which will be placed in front of major supermarkets. To keep those bells ringing - the army will rely on volunteers like 78-year-old Dirldine Usher.
Dirldine Usher, Volunteer
"I've been ringing bells and I joined the Salvation Army in 1989. I
started to ring bells in 1996. Some years things are bright, but sometimes it is a little slow. But thank God for what we get because it isn't too bad, we could have gotten even worse. I am working for the love of God. I work to help people. I like to help."
But volunteers like Dirldine Usher are a dying breed - and so to keep the bells ringing the army is looking for a few good men and women.
Major Errol Robateau,
"Quite a number of our members are old members like Sister Myles who is well known in the city and others. They are either getting sick or dying out and we are appealing for volunteers for the kettle. Teachers from schools, young people from high schools, if they would like to volunteer their time, of course they would need to have an ID, they would need to be attached to an organization, and we would be happy to use their service. Each shift lasts for two hours and they can just tell us when they can help, and if that space is empty, we will fit them in. But we will appreciate any help we can get."
And so Robateau say that whether it is your first time ringing the bell - or giving money - they need all the help they can get.
Major Errol Robateau,
"I think we need to develop a helping spirit whereby we share. If God has blessed us, all he is asking us to do is to share a little of what we have with others and I think that the whole spirit of Christmas is giving."
A spirit of giving - in a time when there is so much need.
Anyone interested in donating toys or even helping to man the kettle stations can contact the Salvation Army on Regent Street. The kettles will be posted in front of Brodies's, Ro-Mac's, Sav-U, and the Angelus Press. The appeal ends on Christmas Eve.
