Kids at the Kettle
On December 17, 2021, The Salvation Army in Calgary launched its first annual Kids at the Kettle event. The goal for this one-day event was to invite kids and families to get involved by volunteering at a Kettle. The event was a success as 65 kids signed up to ring bells at Kettle at locations all over Calgary.
The Kids at the Kettle initiative began as a way to get the younger generation involved with The Salvation Army and inform them of the significance of our Kettle campaign.
“What was important to me is that they leave with a piece of information about why the Kettles are so important,” explains Kettle campaign supervisor, Kim Buller.
In Calgary, The Salvation Army invited all kids, families, sports teams, church groups, community clubs, schools, and more to volunteer at the Kettle locations. These locations included Costco, Wal-Mart, shopping centres, and even a Calgary Flames game.
Kettle shifts were three hours, and each kettle allowed:
- A parent or legal guardian to supervise kids under the age of 12
- One adult supervisor (parent, legal guardian, or group leader) for kids ages 12-14
- No supervisor for kids ages 15-17
The excellent turnout for this event was Calgary’s second-highest day of kettles manned this Christmas season. Most of the child volunteers were between the ages of 11-14, with the youngest bell ringer being 4-years-old. Each child received an appreciation gift containing a history of The Salvation Army and candy canes.
A total of $25,412 was raised at all the Calgary Kettle locations on Saturday, December 17.
Kids at the Kettle had help from Miss Teen Petite Globe Canada, Xara Grace, an ambassador for this event who used her platform to reach out and get more kids involved. Xara is an incredible supporter of The Salvation Army and gave her time to volunteer at a Kettle that Saturday at Marlborough Mall.
(Photo by Braeden Park)
The Glenmore Salvation Army youth band also made a special appearance at the Signal Hill superstore.
Next year, The Salvation Army in Calgary hopes to see many more kids volunteering at Kettles over the holiday season.
If you are interested in signing up a kid to volunteer, visit Salvationarmy.ca/alberta.