Salvation Army Targets 1,000 In ‘Kettle’ Drive

THE Salvation Army has launched its 2016 Kettle Drive which aims to bring Christmas cheer to 1,000 families across St. Lucia.

During the launch ceremony recently, Mr. Malcolm Burns, chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board thanked a number of corporate entities that yearly support the work of the Salvation Army, among them CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank.

Mrs. Ladesa James-Williams, Country Manager of CIBC FirstCaribbean said that “as a responsible corporate citizen, we must play an active role in our communities and each year we allocate at least one per cent of our prior year post tax profit for community outreach programmes.

“In St. Lucia we have concentrated our efforts in assisting the less fortunate, with a prime focus on the elderly, sick and shut-in and the youth. We are pleased therefore to advise that we will be making a donation of $5,000 today to get the kettle appeal started and for the first time our four branches will be used as kettle stops during the Christmas season,” Mrs. James-Williams said.

Preschoolers of the Salvation Army Childcare Services treated the audience at the launch to rendition of the songs; The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy and Put Jesus in Your Christmas. Students from the Community after School Programme (CASP) Monchy Orchestra performed a selection of Christmas songs.

The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle drive is an annual initiative of the Salvation Army aimed at fostering the giving spirit during the festive season. Each year the kettles are situated in populated locations throughout St. Lucia, and are characterised by the merry ringing of a bell to call attention to passers-by. Public donations and funds are collected in support of the Salvation Army’s efforts during the Christmas season.