While numbers are up this year for the Christmas Kettle Campaign, the local Salvation Army is still well short of its goal.
According to Captain Karen Holland with the Chatham-Kent chapter, they are short of the goal despite an increase of $1,300 in kettle donations compared to last year. She said the big shortfall is in the mail-out donations, which she said are down over $70,000.
"It's been really slow and we are wondering if it is due to the bad start because of the mail strike," Holland said. "We can still accept donations right up until the end of December though."
Holland added anyone who wants to donate a cheque to the campaign has to make sure it is dated December 31 at the latest. She said they can be dropped off at any of their offices around the municipality.
While Holland isn't optimistic they'll reach the $500,000 goal, she said there is always a chance.
"Miracles can happen and we could get some really big cheques in the next week so we could still make our goal," Holland said. "As it looks now, we just want to thank the community for their help because we wouldn't have what we have without their assistance and donation."
Karen also gave a big thank you to the volunteers who worked the kettles because the campaign wouldn't have been possible without them.
