Kelowna

 

Photo: Adam Proskiw

Volunteers Mark Galloway and Doug Pearson unload Christmas turkeys.

Photo: Adam Proskiw

June Towle, an employee with West Side Thrift Store dispenses loaves of bread with the help of another volunteer.

Photo: Adam Proskiw

Mark Galloway, a volunteer for the event.

Photo: Adam Proskiw

Fortis employee Keddie-Anne Sherbino.

Photo: Adam Proskiw

Today's event will ensure that more than 900 underprivilidged kids will receive toys this Christmas.

Photo: Contributed

80 year-old Maj. Don Goodridge (ret) worked for the Salvation Army for 42 years and has been a volunteer for 18 years at the Kelowna location..

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Volunteers and employees of the Salvation Army spent Friday dispensing food hampers, toys and Christmas cheer to those in need this season.

The event took place at the Salvation Army’s church facility on Sutherland Ave. and expected to hand out more than 450 hampers.

Fortis also stepped up and supplied home energy saving ‘tool kits’ containing energy efficient bulbs, low-flow showerheads, weather stripping and other materials.

“Many of the families that applied for Christmas Hampers this year are holding down jobs but are working for minimum wage,” said Major Toni Cartmell, a spokesperson for the event.

“Every month it is difficult for these families to make ends meet. When the unexpected happens - providing a ‘normal Christmas’ for their families becomes almost impossible.”

The Salvation Army depends on the generous donations of toys, food and cash to help these families in need.

“Thank you to our many partners that organize toy and food drives as well as those that volunteer to stand and ring bells at the Christmas kettles. Without the help of the community this distribution day would not happen.”

The toys are packed for 900 children and food hampers for their families. In total over 625 families will receive food hampers from the Salvation Army through the month of December.

The money raised during this Christmas season allows the Salvation Army to help families throughout the year with a number of community programs for single mothers, sports and after school programs for children and youth as well as our Emergency Food Bank.

For information on volunteer programs at the Salvation Army call Suzie at (250) 860-2329.