With Christmas just days away, the Salvation Army is well short of its donation targets in Alberta’s two biggest centres, according to a representative with the organization.
Pam Goodyear said in Calgary specifically $609,000 in donations had been received as of Saturday. She described the sum as a “wonderful amount,” but said it is below their target of $1 million.
“We had a really tough time getting volunteers early on in the campaign,” she said. “Kettles have not been out in all locations throughout the campaign.”
Earlier this month, reports surfaced that Calgary’s branch of the Christian organization would not distribute donated toys it felt promoted “black magic,” the occult and vampires.
Goodyear said she does not believe the organization’s stance on the toys had any impact on cash donations.
“I guess there’s not a really clear way to know for sure … unless we were to do a survey or something,” she said. “I don’t know how you would make any link to the toy story or anything. Certainly, our toy donations are not down.”
Those wishing to donate can look for one of the Salvation Army’s trademark red kettles, located in major centres, or head online to ab.salvationarmy.ca.
