Age Does Not Hold Volunteer Back from Helping Community

In preparation for her 101st birthday, Mary Lockyer spent time volunteering with The Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign this year to raise money for those in need.

“It has felt really good to be able to volunteer on the kettle and help out,” says Mary. “I love socializing and have met a lot of wonderful people in my community.”

Mary lived in her own home in Garden Cove up until this past summer when she moved to Clarenville and started attending church at The Salvation Army. While new to volunteering with the Christmas Kettle Campaign, she knows firsthand that you are never too old to start. “There is no age limit [to volunteering]; I know I wasn’t too old!” she shared.

An inspiration to many, Mary’s time on the Kettles has encouraged additional family, friends, church, and surrounding community members to get involved with the campaign.

“Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she is so eager to serve and loves helping people,” shares Major Tina Mitchell, corps officer and pastor of Crossroads Community Church, when asked about their oldest volunteer. “She is so cheerful and has brought life and excitement to the kettles this year and motivated people to give.”

Mary knows that when she volunteers with The Salvation Army, she makes a difference and helps raise money for vital programming. “Money raised will help people in need in my community to get groceries and gifts for their families this Christmas.”

Every donation made to The Salvation Army stays in your community! Donate today by visiting https://bit.ly/TSANLChristmas, calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or visiting a Christmas kettle in your community.

About Mary

Mary grew up on Woody Island, Placentia Bay, where she met and married her husband, George Lockyer, who was a fisherman and worked in the lumber woods. They had nine children, six girls and three boys, and while they didn’t have much money, they were never cold or hungry. Later, the family resettled by floating their home to Garden Cove in 1967, where Mary lived up until this past summer at the age of 100. She is surrounded by a large family, and has a number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She is thankful for her health and being blessed with a great life and an amazing family.