'Gleaner' supports Salvation Army's
Christmas Kettle Drive
THE MANAGEMENT
and staff of The Gleaner Co. Ltd. will be supporting the Salvation
Army in its annual Christmas Kettle Drive tomorrow.
Members of The
Gleaner team will be at strategic selling locations from 6.30 a.m.
to 8 a.m., encouraging customers to buy the newspaper and/or make
a donation to the Salvation Army officer stationed on location with
the team members.
The company
will donate to the Salvation Army $2 from each copy of The Gleaner
sold on December 2.
"We really
need this money to change the quality of the lives of countless
persons across the island," said Major Devon Haughton, divisional
commander of the Salvation Army in Eastern Jamaica.
"The Salvation
Army has a programme that feeds street people, funds AIDS hostels
such as the one at Peter's Lane (downtown King-ston), and we provide
700 meals daily and distribute to those in need with assistance
from Food for the Poor. We help fire victims, and in times of major
disaster, we co-ordinate with the Office of Disaster Preparedness
and Emergency Management (ODPEM) to help the victims," Major
Haughton said.
Last year, more
than $3 million was generated in the region of Eastern Jamaica during
the Kettle campaign with an additional $1.1 million going into its
coffers from Western Jamaica.
"With cash
donations as well as the donations of clothing and other items,
we realised close to $5 million. This year, we're hoping to generate
$5 million cash because the demands are greater," said Major
Haughton. "We operate several basic schools, day-care centres,
clinics, homes for the aged, and the visually impaired, and the
disabled, and children's homes. We need this money to bring Christmas
cheer to those who are hurting or are in need. This is the Salvation
Army's most expensive time of the year."
Published December 1, 2003
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