Salvation Army launches annual Kettle Appeal

DPI, Guyana, Friday, November 01, 2019

Each year, from the end of November through December, The Salvation Army hosts its Christmas Kettle Appeal. Soon, Guyanese will be greeted with the familiar sight of the red donation bucket as the local division of the organisation launched its kettle Drive at the Umana Yana today.

The annual Christmas Appeal helps to meet the needs of those less fortunate through the provision of food, shelter, rehabilitation and much more.

[In the photo, from left to right] Salvation Army Divisional Leader, Major Matignol Saint-Lot, Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge, Captain Gerry Gouveia, His Worship the Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine, ExxonMobil’s Country Manager, Rod Henson, Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Edward Boyer, Major Mireille Saint-Lot and one of the local Captains of the Salvation Army.

Students of Smith Memorial Primary School perform a vocal selection.

Timbrellists perform timbrel drill.

Present at today’s event were Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge, His Worship the Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine, ExxonMobil’s Country Manager, Rod Henson, Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Edward Boyer, Divisional Leaders, Majors Matignol and Mireille Saint-Lot, Captains and Soldiers of the Salvation Army, school students among others embers of the public and others.

Henson, in his remarks, noted that “whether it is to providing disaster relief, shelters for the homeless, hampers, mattresses, operating hospitals, so many other services, the Salvation Army is making a real difference in the lives of so many.”

Major Matignol Saint-Lot, of the Salvation Army, said the goal this year is to “distribute 1,500 food hampers host several parties with children and share gifts with them and from the second week of November until Christmas we will visit many homes and institutions where we will also share Christmas toys and gifts.” Major Saint-Lot expressed appreciation for the continued generous support that allows the organisation to deliver services to those in need.

The Salvation Army currently provides food hampers and services to persons every week; they also offer services in schools, daycare, nursing homes, women home and many other organizations. Last year the Salvation Army collected $9 M.

Next year, the Salvation Army will observe a milestone – 125 years of service.