With Christmas only seven weeks away, The Salvation Army is currently booking appointments for the annual Sharing Christmas program.
"Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year," says Sonia Withers, Community Ministries Coordinator for the Kelowna Salvation Army. "Each year we are blessed with the opportunity to provide assistance to the members of our community who may be walking through some challenging financial times. It is an honour to be able to walk alongside and provide support."
In 2018, The Salvation Army provided Christmas Blessings (assistance) to over 600 local families, including toys for over 1100 children from Peachland to Lake Country. During the first six (6) months of this year, The Salvation Army experienced a 47% increase in the number of individuals and families accessing services.
“We could not provide this blessing without the tremendous support of the community,” according to Captain Darryl Burry, Executive Director of the Kelowna Salvation Army. “From financial donations to the donation of food products and new toys…each contribution helps us to provide hope and dignity to families right here in our community.”
For families (two or more in the same household) who will require assistance this Christmas season, The Salvation Army is currently scheduling appointments at the following times / locations:
Kelowna / Lake Country residents:
Dates: Nov. 18 – 22, 2019
Location: Kelowna Community Church (1480 Sutherland Ave.)
Phone: 250-860-2329 x336
West Kelowna / Westbank / Peachland residents:
Dates: Nov. 26 – 27, 2019
Location: Community Life Centre – Westbank (3531 Old Okanagan Highway)
Phone: 250-768-1850 x2
“We desire to ensure that no one falls through the cracks during this special season of love and giving, however, in order to meet the demands placed upon us, we would respectfully ask that all families set up an appointment to register as soon as possible,” says Captain Burry.