Over in Oak Bay, long-time volunteer Doug Smith is a bell-ringing machine.
“This is my 16th year,” said Smith, located in front of the Save-On-Foods at Fort St. and Foul Bay Rd.
And mid-way through his seven-hour shift, he’s already seeing steady results.
“Very generous, the people are very generous here,” said the retired RCMP officer.
For Smith, braving the cold and manning the iconic Salvation Army kettle has become a holiday tradition. It’s a cause he’s been tied to since childhood.
“My dad was a real veteran from the second world war and always talked very highly of The Salvation Army, and when I was younger, he used to make donations so I just wanted to follow up.”
Meanwhile, at the London Drugs at Mackenzie and Quadra, Maria Lavan is busy paying it forward.
“I have been down on my luck over the years,” said Lavan. “I was divorced, solo parenting, and they’ve been a blessing in so many ways.”
The Salvation Army was there for Lavan with food hampers, clothing, and, in the past, she’s used the charity’s toy shop to provide gifts to her children on Christmas day.
“I think they’re awesome…The Salvation Army has become my family and yeah, they’ve done a lot and I can’t do enough to repay them,” said Lavan, holding back tears.
“It’s kind of cool to see that it can happen to anybody where you fall on rough times, and the Salvation Army can be there just to give a handout and help out,” said Sipili Molia, Regional Kettle Manager for The Salvation Army.
Lavan and Smith represent two of the many brave Salvation Army soldiers, helping keep the kettle campaign alive in perhaps its most desperate time.
“I really enjoy doing this for the Salvation Army, it really puts me in the sense of Christmas,” said Smith.
“It’s a great organization, and I’m just really happy to be able to give back as much as I can because they’ve helped me so much,” said Lavan.
To make a donation to The Salvation Army’s kettle campaign, click here.
Kevin Charach
