Salvation Army holds 2024 Kettle Campaign

By Care Lucas

If you’re running holiday errands, chances are you may see one of the Salvation Army’s iconic red kettles. The local campaign, which runs every year, originates from the community at The Villages of Long Point Bay in Port Rowan.

“We have two gentlemen that go [do pick up in Tillsonburg] …They are the ones that are in charge of going and picking the kettles up. They bring them back to The Villages and then it’s my job to make up a schedule where we’re going to place volunteers, for instance, Wiggans, the pharmacy, Country Fork —or wherever,” Sheila Seymour, the campaign’s convener, said.

The same gentlemen will then set up the kettles and the volunteers are tasked with being cordial while community members place donations in the kettles.

This is Seymour’s second year in the role. She said all of the donations collected are sent back to Tillsonburg to be deposited into an account, but the account is tagged for Port Rowan so any funds raised are distributed back to the community.

She said it has been moving to see the impact the Kettle Campaign has on Norfolk residents. “I remember one time, a fellow came up to me,” Seymour said. “He put $50 in the kettle, and he said, ‘I want to tell you that when I was 17 years old, my parents threw me out of the house and would not let me back in. I went to The Salvation Army, and I asked them for help. They gave me a place to stay, and they gave me a bed and a little bit of furniture. And I’ve never forgotten that.’” The gentleman told Seymour that he now donates to the Kettle Campaign each year to pay it forward.

Seymour said her volunteers understand the significance of the campaign, which gives back to the community year round. “Across Canada last year, Salvation Army served over 3.2 million meals to the needy. That didn’t even include what they gave in Christmas hampers, what they give in clothing or what the thrift stores make all year,” she said. “It’s a huge and wonderful organization.”

But this year, there is a unique need for volunteers. For many years the volunteers were recruited directly from The Villages of Long Point Bay, but in recent years, there are fewer people able to step up from there. As a result, Seymour has opened volunteer recruitment up to the general public, bringing in a few volunteers through the Chamber of Commerce.

Those interested in volunteering this season or next year can connect with Seymour at 226-567-8994. If they provide their availability, she will schedule shifts around it. “It usually works out,” she said.

It’s a great opportunity to get to know your neighbours better and connect with your community through the holiday season. And it’s for a great cause. Seymour says the volunteer role is a rewarding one. She moved to the area from a big city four years ago and said it has been an eye-opening experience.

“I am absolutely astounded and amazed by the charitable efforts that people do in this community. When somebody’s down, they pick them up,” she said. She referenced community service from service organizations and churches in the area. “Your heart grows [coming here]. I swear. I feel like the Grinch. My heart grew many sizes bigger.”

Originally printed in The Good News, January 2025.