TARGET REACHED

THE Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Drive has met its fund-raising target of Bds$650 000 in support of its annual outreach programmes for the 2018 to 2019 period, raising more money than in previous years.

Reporting on the results yesterday at The Salvation Army headquarters, Major Denzil Walcott, Community Relations Officer said, “The annual fund-raiser, which ran from November 9, 2018 to January 31, 2019, was a success and The Army was heartened and sincerely grateful. We are happy to report that we have met our target for the year, which we know is no small feat in circumstances where the country as a whole is faced with serious economic difficulties.”

“The annual Kettle and letter appeals support The Salvation Army’s annual social outreach including providing food, shelter and educational assistance to the less fortunate throughout the year. The money also goes towards our programmes such as back to school, our feeding programme is important as the numbers are rising, and we also have a “Meals on Wheels” programme, which has also gone up. The economic challenges put more pressure on The Salvation Army, and we not only provide food, etc., but also counselling for those who have lost their jobs,” he highlighted.

Walcott also commended the support of corporate Barbados, who he stated amidst the economic challenges continue to come on board in support of helping the less fortunate in Barbados. He thanked CIBC FirstCaribbean, Republic Bank, Massy United Insurance, Abed’s, Flow, KPMG and Digicel. He also reiterated his thanks to entertainers who push the Kettle Drive and private citizens.

Major Walcott revealed, “We also will talk more about our targets for 2019 and one of our big projects that is co-sponsored by the Maria Holder Trust is the opening of the new building at Speightstown. It is already finished; just putting the final touches.” (NB)