Salvation Army, Christmas Amalgamated volunteers working hard to support Kamloops

With Sally Whitson back at the helm for another year of operations, Christmas Amalgamated is putting out the call for donations.

“Toys for babies, and soon we’ll start needing the food to build the hampers,” says Whitson. “I’d say another week or so, we should start seeing some of the food coming in.”

The organization was created for Kamloops families who need a little extra help during the holidays. It offers a way for parents to pick out no-cost Christmas gifts for their kids and provides food hampers for a traditional Christmas meal.

Zelinda Davidowski came by to shop for a gift for her daughter today and told CFJC Today the service means a lot to her.

A mother shops through the supplies at Christmas Amalgamated (Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

“I don’t know if Christmas would be as amazing as it is without Christmas Amalgamated every year because I’m a single mom, and I work, and it’s still really hard to make ends meet,” she says. “Everything is so expensive for toddlers, and children in general really.”

Whitson says the group is looking for new toy donations for kids, clothing, and items for teenagers, as well as food or money to buy food for the thousands of Christmas dinner hampers they’ll be putting together.

“If we had everything (donated) upfront to start, we wouldn’t have enough room. So what happens is we keep building the hampers, and as we build more supplies come in,” she explains. “So it works for us if they (the community) just keep bringing them in when they have the time to bring it down.”

To sign up for a hamper, volunteer, or donate, Christmas Amalgamated is based out of 750 Fortune Drive in the Fortune Shopping Centre and can be reached at 250-376-0777.

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Community generosity spreads to multiple organizations around Kamloops — including the Salvation Army. This season, the Kettle Bell Campaign setups can be found at more than a dozen locations in the city, with the debit/credit card tap option offered at seven stations.

“We’ve still got the best part of our campaign to come, as things get busier at the mall and at the grocery stores, of course, they get busier for us in terms of donations so we look forward to that part,” says Captain Cory Fifield. “We’re at about $110,000 right now towards our $350,000 goal, so we still have some work to do.”

While many are able to give money, and physical items for charitable programs in the city, Fifield says the many volunteers who come out and give their time to ring the bells are essential.

“If people want to volunteer, then they can contact Renee or Mary to help out with kettles at (250) 819-0017,” he says. “This is the busiest few weeks that we’ll have during the Christmas season, so our encouragement is to get out there and help. There is lots to do, and lots of people in need, so what better time to give back.”

Alongside the kettles, Captain Kelly Fifield says the Salvation Army is also gathering food and monetary donations to provide Kamloops families with food hampers.

Fifield says so far the sign-up list for volunteers to ‘adopt’ families and ensure they have a food hamper has been successful.

“So we are having people call to say, ‘what can I do, how can I support?’ So what we’ve done is we’ve put together a list of items for our food hampers that they’re able to support with since all of our families have been matched up,” she explains. “I believe we still have some more that are available and if people are wanting to do that we would love to see that support.”

The Fifields add that help is always appreciated, and to contact the Salvation Army to ask about volunteering, donations, and what items are still needed, call (250) 554-1611.

by Dylana Kneeshaw

Salvation Army, Christmas Amalgamated volunteers working hard to support Kamloops

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