Keeping Kettle Volunteers Safe This Christmas Season
The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle campaign is the largest fundraiser for our organization, dating back to 1903 in Canada. The money raised stays local and provides vital services in the community that help people who are vulnerable or marginalized.
The campaign would not be successful without the help of our volunteers who graciously donate their time to staff the Kettles. This year, COVID-19 had us looking for ways to keep volunteers and donors safe during this year’s fundraiser.
Volunteers will still be out this year and have been trained to follow COVID-19 regulations put out by Alberta Health Services.
When volunteers show up to their Kettle shifts, they will need to fill out a self-screening declaration waiver. They will be provided with a mask, bottle of sanitizer, and paper towels to help keep themselves and donors safe. Physical distance and increasing the sanitization of Kettles, pens, and debit machines will be required. After their shift has ended, sanitizing all surfaces and items will be mandatory to keep the next volunteer safe.
Other safety measures put in place are:
- No handouts of candy canes or Christmas related thank you gifts to donors or children
- No congregating around the kettles
- No singing
- No instrument playing
The Salvation Army has informed volunteers to make sure that if they are experiencing symptoms, waiting for COVID-19 results or have come in contact with someone who has COVID-19, to call or email their supervisor to let them know they will not make it to their shift.
It is important for us to make sure that the safety and health of our volunteers are our top priority and procedures may change as announcements from Alberta Health Services are made.
If you would like to volunteer, please visit our Christmas Page or email us at abnt_volunteers@salvationarmy.ca and include the name of your community in your message.
