Kettle help
Salvation Army is looking for a little extra help from the community to continue its good work.
Powell River Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Kettle campaign kicks off Saturday, November 22, and Captain BJ Loder is asking the community to consider lending a hand.
The kettles will be around town until Christmas Eve. Loder said that while they have enough volunteers to manage their regular operations, the kettles require additional help.
“We’re at a critical point here,” he said. “Over the years it has been a lot of the same people volunteering.” Many are not able to contribute in the same way because of failing health or other circumstances, he added. “We need to rebuild our list.”
Loder thinks this could be an opportunity for families, churches and other community organizations to help out.
This is the main fundraiser for the charity organization and all money raised stays local, Loder added. “We use it for our Christmas assistance and we try to stretch it out through the year as much as we can,” he said.
Salvation Army helps all who are in need regardless of their religious beliefs. The charity does not receive any government funding or any single large donation of money or food from the community. Instead, it relies on the good will of individuals in the community who give a few dollars. Last year the kettles raised over $30,000 locally.
Powell River Kings players will be stationed at the kettles throughout the campaign as they were last year, he said.
For more information about the program or how to help out, readers can contact the Salvation Army at 604.485.6067 or visit online.
Suspects sought
Several Powell River businesses have been robbed over the past week and police are looking for suspects.
Since November 15, five businesses have been robbed, and on November 17 it was Rodmay Hotel’s Heritage Liquor store. Two men wearing balaclavas, carrying bear spray and a metal pipe, demanded the cashier hand over an undisclosed amount of cash, said RCMP Constable Tim Kenning.
One suspect is described as approximately six feet tall with a thin build, and the other five feet, eight inches tall and stocky.
Video surveillance is being used with the help of forensic investigators to assist in finding those responsible.
Anyone with information about these crimes can contact the RCMP 604.485.6255 or CrimeStoppers 1.800.222.TIPS (8477).
