Holiday fundraising to help families in need kicks off in Barrie

The Salvation Army's kettle campaign and Barrie and District Christmas Cheer campaign launched in Barrie on Thursday, aimed at filling a community need.

Christmas fundraising is kicking into high gear in Barrie.

It’s the time of year when people are asked to support local charities who help people in need. The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas kettle campaign is officially underway in the city on Thursday. It’s the biggest fundraiser of the year for the organization that is hoping to raise half a million dollars locally.

“Probably a quarter of all the funds that we raise throughout the year come from through just the kettle campaign at Christmas,” executive director of the Salvation Army Nathan Sykes says.

The majority of the money collected will go to the community and family services. That includes outreach and its new family shelter. The Salvation Army is a lifeline for many people like Micheal Arbour who now calls Barrie home.

“Absolutely a lifeline, a God send. They gave me everything I need to be where I am right now,” says Arbour from the Salvation Army’s breakfast kick-off on Thursday.

There will be 17 kettles scattered across the area over the next several weeks. Once again, people can drop money in the kettle or simply tap their card if they wish.

“The challenge, really, is that the need continues to grow in our community so as a field, as a sector, we are definitely struggling to keep up, both in terms of the funding and the capacity to serve that need in our community,” says Sykes.

Barrie and District Christmas Cheer is back for another holiday season in Barrie. 1,300 volunteers will spend the next six weeks collecting and sorting all kinds of food and gifts for those in need. It too is seeking half a million dollars in donations.

“Every single year we are hoping that we are going to be less of a need but it turns out every year we are more of a gap-filler and the need just continues to grow,” says president of Christmas Cheer Sandra Yaquo.

Christmas Cheer is expecting to assist more than 7,000 people this holiday season. It’s now half-empty warehouse will be filled with gifts and much-needed food.

“We are looking for donations for children under three and over six. That’s the priority right now,” says Yaquo.

The packages from Christmas Cheer will be handed out on Dec. 18 and 19. Anyone hoping to receive assistance from the organization will need to register first.