www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, December 19, 2013 | 6 Spotlight by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff "Connected to your Community" Sally Ann Kettle Campaign hangs in 'til Dec. 24 Times are tough and the Salvation Army of Oakville is feeling the pinch as it makes a nal appeal for donations before wrapping up its 2013 Christmas Kettle Campaign, Dec. 24. Currently, it's just one quarter of the way to its $110,000 fundraising goal, said Aisha Chaney, Salvation Army of Oakville community and family services co-ordinator. "At this point in the campaign last year, we were ahead by approximately $6,000," she said. "It's important to note that money raised from the kettles not only goes towards our Christmas efforts, but also funds our programs and overall operation for the coming year. "Without adequate funds, cutbacks will need to be made, which is unthinkable to due the essential services we provide to meet basic human needs of people struggling right here in our community." Last year's campaign raised $110,000 -- shy of its $135,000 goal and this year's campaign is moving even slower. Kettles are at 12 Oakville locations, including Oakville Place, Hopedale Mall, Walmart, Fortinos, and the Real Canadian Superstore, as well as all Oakville LCBO locations -- kettles operate Monday-Saturday until Dec. 24. Volunteers are still needed to ll three-hour shifts leading up to Christmas Eve, in the morning, afternoon or evening. Anyone interested can contact kettle co-ordinator Ingrid Kyriacopoulos at 289-952-1012 or tsaoakvillekettles@ cogeco.net. "Those who cannot lend any time are encouraged to donate at least a dollar when they pass a kettle," Chaney said. Donations, by mail or in person, are also welcome at The Salvation Army of Oakville, 1225 Rebecca St., Oakville, ON, L5L 1Z1, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Donations by credit card can be made by phone at 905-827-5324, ext. 24. The Salvation Army's Toy Mountain donations are steadily coming in, notes Chaney, but there is still a need for gifts for teens (ages 12-17 years) and infants. Gift cards, sports equipment, clothing and small electronics are suggested items suitable for this age group. Toys can be delivered to The Salvation Army's Rebecca Street of ce 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m., Monday to Friday, and at Toy Mountain at Oakville Place until Dec. 23. Donations are collected twice daily and brought to the Toy Depot. For more information about the efforts, visit www. salvationarmyoakville.ca. From left, Salvation Army of Oakville Captain Wendy Crabb, Sgt. Maj. Jean Lutz and Kettle Campaign co-ordinator Ingrid Kyriacopoulos beside a Christmas kettle. | photo by Graham Paine Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or www.facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) Kerr Street Ministries hopes for Christmas Wonders and Beyond by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff The 11th annual Christmas Wonders and Beyond program has its work cut out for it to reach its $300,000 goal before Christmas, says Kerr Street Ministries (KSM) Executive Director Gary O'Neill. "As of Friday (Dec. 13), we are at $160,000... so we still have a long way to go," he said. "Last year, near the end of December, we were at $215,000. We were closer then to achieving last year's $300,000 goal." KSM's Christmas Wonders and Beyond program helps make sure families can celebrate the holidays, with adequate food on the table and gifts under the tree. Client families register with KSM and are eligible for gift cards in $25 denominations (up to $75 per per- son in the family), to be used to buy food and presents. "What's great about this format is that it gives people the opportunity to make choices for themselves and gives mom and dad the chance to be the hero for the kids," said O'Neill, noting every child in a client family will also receive a new pair of pyjamas and toy as an extra gift for Christmas morning. "With all the donations of pyjamas, toys and food in December, it's been wonderful to see our community banding together to help those struggling during this season." Last year, more than 1,000 people were helped through the program, with the number of clients this year expected to be at 1,200. While the donations will be distributed to families in time for Christmas, the Christmas Wonders and Beyond program will continue to run well into the new year. "Sometimes, once the Christmas season is over and everyone starts getting their bills, things stagnate, so that's why we encourage people to continue to help out wherever they can and keep things going for those in need," said O'Neill. "It's good to imagine what it would be like if we couldn't celebrate Christmas and struggled with providing the basic necessities. The Christmas Wonders and Beyond program is an excellent opportunity to help ll the gap for those in need and help them forget their worries even if just for a few days during the holiday season." For more information, contact Agnes Unger Stassen at 905-8457485, visit www.kerrstreet.com, or send your tax-deductible donation to Kerr Street Ministries, 485 Kerr St., Oakville, Ont., L6K 3C6 -- KSM's charitable registration number is 89710 6845 RR0001. | Oakville Beaver le photo Agnes Unger Stassen, also known as the Christmas Lady, who co-ordinates Kerr Street Ministries' (KSM) Christmas Wonders and Beyond program, hopes this will be a great Christmas for those in need. Volume 51 | Number 151 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON (905) 845-3824 Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone (416) 340-1981. 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