Whether they were allowed to ring their bells or not, it was hard not to notice the 500 volunteers who stood with the familiar Salvation Army kettles collecting collect donations over the holiday season. This branch opened locally in 1919 and is one of the largest volunteer organizations in Kelowna, however, collecting funds at Christmas is only a small part of what they do.

Last year, more than 50,000 volunteer hours were put in by over 1,000 volunteers in their various programs. They provided some 4,000 families with food hampers and another 900 Christmas hampers as well as 1,500 children’s gift baskets. They also donated over $200,000 worth of clothes, household effect and furniture to the disadvantaged.

Over 12,000 meals were served to the homeless and people in need and 250 underprivileged children got to go to summer camp. Add to that the men and women helped with addiction treatments, pro bono legal help, assisting seniors, single mothers and running two thrift stores to help pay for it all and clearly, this is one organization Kelowna could not do without.

If they win, the $1,000 donation will go towards funding community programs. Founded in 1919.