The Salvation Army Kettle Campaign had a record breaking year in the Grande Prairie area. The goal was set at $430,000 which was more than their goal last year. The organization managed to raise $444,067.70 between the kettle fundraiser and mail-outs.
Lieutenant Peter Kim spent his first year in Grande Prairie after moving from Lethbridge.
“I feel like when the going gets tough… Albertans and citizens of Grande Prairie stepped up and helped out.”
The goals for next year will be determined by the need in the community. There was larger need for hampers this year and Kim says it was overwhelming to see how many people needed this year.
“We ended up giving out 1,054 hampers. That is alot of hampers to give out. I am hoping that will change. We are hoping the economy picks up and we will have less people using us.”
Kim adds that without the communities help, many people in the area would go without food and help during the holidays.