Salvation Army kettles are as much a Christmas tradition as carols, greeting cards and gifts.
Every year, these plastic orbs appear outside shopping malls across the land, accompanied by hopeful greeters ringing bells.
These holiday symbols of giving are not just there to make you feel good or guilty, depending on whether or not you drop a dollar in. They are the the most important fundraiser of the year for the Christian charitable organization.
This year, the Tri-City and New Westminster branch of the Salvation Army hopes to raise nearly $400,000 from the thousands of loonies, twoonies and $5 bills collected, and will use the money to to provide food, shelter services, clothing, legal support, addictions counselling and other services to local families.
So when you hear those bells and see that Sally Ann kettle, drop in a coin or two. If you do, you are not only participating in a time-honoured tradition but helping out a worthwhile organization.
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