Major Commissioner Raymond Houghton (left), territorial commander for the Caribbean of the Salvation Army, rings the bell as Bruce Bowen, president and CEO of Scotiabank Jamaica, makes a donation during the official launch of the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Appeal 2008 at Scotia Centre, downtown Kingston, last Friday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
Despite the impending financial crisis in the United States and other parts of the globe, the Salvation Army in Jamaica remains optimistic that it will reach its target of $10.2 million during its annual Christmas Kettle Appeal.
Major Kervin Harry, divisional commander for the eastern Jamaica arm of the Salvation Army, said the organisation was aware of the global financial problems affecting other parts of the world.
"We know that eventually this will, one way or the other, affect us in Jamaica," he said. "We expect that remittances to the country may also come down, but we are keeping the faith."
Setback by Gustav
Harry said he was also aware that many Jamaicans are still recovering from the effects of Tropical Storm Gustav, which dumped several metres of water on the island in August, causing massive flooding in some parts of the country.
"So we know that there are a number of elements that might affect our drive, but we will be grateful with whatever we get," he said. "We are still hoping we will surpass our goal."
Tradition of collecting
The organisation's annual kettle drive has been a long and distinctive part of its traditions. Every year, volunteers from the organisation can be seen at the doors of various malls and shopping centres joyfully jingling their bells as they solicit donations.
The money collected each year goes towards a number of its social outreach programmes, including disaster relief and mitigation and aid for the blind.
"The donations from the drive form part of the proceeds for the following year's budget, which is somewhere over $20 million," Harry told The Gleaner.
The Salvation Army last year collected approximately $6 million during its Christmas Kettle Appeal.
Anyone wishing to donate to the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Appeal can contact 922-0287.
