With the downtown Belize City in the state that it’s in, it’s hard for anyone bustling through the ruinous, dust filled streets to think about Christmas. But when you hear those Salvation Army bells jingling, you know that the season us here, and more than that, the reason for the season in brought to mind. I found out how much they hope to raise this year.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Just how many hands will be dropping money in the Salvation Army’s Red Kettles is anybody’s guess but by the time the Christmas appeal is over, it is hoped that a total of thirty thousand dollars would have been collected. The money will be used to give the needy a treat and meal for the season but according to Major Errol Robateau this year it is not all about cash donation.
Major Errol Robateau, Regional Commander – Salvation Army
“We try to reach the neediest of our people, mainly children, and the elderly, those 60 years and over. The children are always given a special treat for Christmas with the Christmas dinner, we also have the toy drive. What we would like to achieve that we have not done, well there wasn’t any need for it is that unlike other years when we just take toys around the country, we would like to take food stuff with us as well, especially in trying to reach some of those who were devastated by the flood. So this is one of the things that the public can think about besides giving the cash because we do need the cash but they can also bring food stuff and of course the toys.”
Every year the appeal assists around four thousand five hundred people but this year that number is expected to increase because of the recent flood.
Major Errol Robateau,
“Oh definitely. We will not only be increasing but it is more widespread and I doubt we will reach all of them but we would like to reach as many as we can. We can only give what we receive so the more we receive, the more we will have to give.”
The red kettles will be posted outside all major supermarkets and you can also make a contribution in cash or kind at the Salvation Army headquarters on Regent Street.
In 2007, the Salvation Army raised a total of twenty eight thousand dollars through the kettle appeal.
