Around the world The Salvation Army kicked off its Red Kettle Appeal today, a project that aims to give the gift of hope to families in need. Here in Belize, that tradition continued today as they launched the Kettle Appeal in downtown Belize City.
While the organization recognizes that the country is experiencing financial difficulty, in the aftermath of Hurricane Richard, there are so many more out there that need your help this Christmas.
And that's why those bells will be even more shrill this year - Andrea Polanco has more:
Today trumpets and saxophones were blaring as the Salvation Army launched its Annual Kettle Appeal. The mood was quiet festive, spreading the Christmas spirit in front of Brodies on the Albert; and as soon as the event started, little by little donations kept pouring in. It is this tradition of giving that helps to make an event like this possible every year:
Major John Rhaburn: Regional Social Services Secretary
"Well we continue with appeal from year to year because we realize that there are children and adults and people who are unable to provide a toy or a nice meal for them at Christmas time, so the Salvation Army comes at this time of the year and help to provide a needy person with a joy at Christmas time."
These are just two of the kettles that are expected to hold thirty thousand dollars, but the target is way more than that, it is one hundred thousand dollars, which will spread goodwill and cheer to many less fortunate families across the country:
Major Henry King, Regional Secretary
"During the Christmas time we have 2 distinct appeal, 1: the launching of the kettles as well as ladder appeal and just to use a ball park figure we are looking at raising $30,000.00 through our kettle appeal and another $70,000.00 through ladder appeal, whilst that is extremely challenging noting the fact that we are living n difficult financial times I sense that Belizeans just like Jamaicans, Trinidadians, Antiguans, we have a kind heart and once there is a need I know we are going to be our brother's keeper."
Major John Rhaburn, Regional Social Services Secretary
"Well the projection we don't have a exact number on hand but we do give 700 children a Christmas dinner at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall, also another 200 at our school, we also provide toys and gifts and food parcels to over 200 people throughout the country of Belize."
But to help make all this possible, the Salvation Army is looking for Volunteers to help ring their kettles, a tradition that is expected to be carried out throughout the country in time to come:
Major Henry King, Regional Secretary
"I made a special to not just church groups but community groups, corporations, business houses just to give us a half day, I know time is money but to give back to the community and the society in that way is very meaningful. Corporation - you may call our offices and just say that you are going to send 3 persons to do the kettle from 9 until 12 whether it is Hofius or Brodies. In time to come for our projection is that we are going to have an appeal in Belmopan. I think we have one in Belmopan not on such a big scale but we plan to have one on an even bigger scale that what took place in Belmopan and also Orange Walk and some of the southern districts. That's our projection because whilst we assist persons here with the food parcel in the city, we go out as well to Orange Walk and Corozal and a number of districts in-between there distributing food parcel and it will be good if we can have a kettle launching in just about all the districts for that matter."
Kettles are now out at Brodies, Hofius, Agusto Quan, Save-U and Publics on Northern Highway. If you wish to mail in your donation you can send it to P.O. Box 64 or visit the headquarters at 41 Regent Street. This year the Red Kettle Appeal will close off on December 24 but distribution will continue into the New Year.
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