Salvation Army tree lightingkicks-off Christmas Kettle Campaign

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative

Since getting reacquainted with the community, Essex Salvation Army Major Wavey Kearley Birt has come to know just how generous the community is, and she could not be more pleased.

  She had a wonderful experience serving the Essex community from 1995-1999, when she had her now late husband, Phillip Birt, worked together to oversee the needs of the Essex Salvation Army. She eagerly stepped-out of a five-year retirement to return to the role when previous Essex Salvation Army Major Jim Hann retired at the end of June.

  That sense of community pride and neighbourly love was felt around the Christmas tree on the front lawn of the Essex Municipal Building last Thursday evening as the Essex Salvation Army hosted its annual Tree Lighting and Christmas Kettle Campaign Kick-Off.  

Every year, the Essex Salvation Army, with sponsorship from the Essex Centre BIA, hosts the event as a way to celebrate the start of the Christmas season. The event offered live music from an EDHS band and from DJ Tony, carols by the tree, visits and pictures with Santa, free hot dogs and hot chocolate, and the flipping of the switch that officially turns on the Christmas tree lights for the first time of the season.

  The event is also a reminder to everyone of the true meaning of the season.

  Kearley Birt was pleased with the event, as she watched families make donations to the Christmas Kettle onsite, and enjoy an evening of entertainment.

  “This is wonderful. It is so nice to see the community coming together, participating. There is something for everybody.”

  She noted it is nice to host community events, so people can connect. Kearley Birt was able to speak to people she hasn’t seen in some time, and said it is always great to catch-up.

  Part of the festive season is to be giving, and one way the community can do that is by donating to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign. Kearley Birt hopes  it will bring in $100,000 this holiday season to help support the clients the Essex Salvation Army looks after throughout the year.

  Last year, Kearley Birt said the Essex Salvation Army was able to raise just over that amount.

  “People here are so generous,” she said. “The generosity and the giving of the people who are here, it is really amazing.”

  The funds raised through the annual Kettle Campaign stays right in the community, she assured. It is used through the Essex Salvation Army’s Family Services program to supply food, needs, and support to families in need. It can also supply warm coats, clothes, boots, and stuff for the kids for Christmas.

  In addition, the Essex Salvation Army also hosts its SA Connections program every Tuesday to whomever wants to participate. It offers a program and a meal. The Kettle Campaign funds also help to pay for the food provided through that program.  

  The Essex Salvation Army, every year, supplies Christmas Hampers to local individuals and families in need. Already 76 orders have been placed, and Kearley Birt suspects more will be required.

  If anyone could use a Christmas Hamper, they can call the Essex Salvation Army to learn more and inquire about the program.

  As of Friday, the Essex Salvation Army Christmas Kettles have been set-up. They are located at Foodland, Josh’s No Frills, Sanford and Son Supermarket in Harrow, and at the Sobeys in Amherstburg.

  Those able and willing to volunteer a few hours to man a kettle can do so by contacting the Essex Salvation Army at (519) 776-4628 to sign-up.

  There are also countertop kettles located at businesses throughout the municipality.   

  Every year, the Essex Salvation Army hosts its Letter Campaign with the Kettle Campaign. The mailout went out last Monday morning, and already donations were coming in.

  “It is wonderful,” she said, noting tax receipts are available to those who provide $20 or more to those who submit their donation at the church or via mail.