Darrell Chapman was a resident at the Gateway of Hope more than a decade ago and became involved in volunteering, even after he moved out for a time.
“After a couple years, I lost the house I had and was able to move back in there – which kept me off the street,” he shared.
He volunteers year round for the Salvation Army, but enjoys meeting new people and hearing their stories during the annual Christmas Kettle Campaign.
Chapman recalled meeting one man who turned 100 years old the day he put some change into the kettle.
“I shook his hand and watched him walk away to load his groceries into the trunk of his car,” he said.
On another day volunteering for the kettles, Chapman was outside a storefront in the rain in White Rock and the employees and manager let him sit inside.
“It’s so great meeting new people and hearing their stories,” Chapman commented.
During the six week kettle campaign, Chapman estimates he is at stores four or five times a week.
“If you’re having trouble getting in the Christmas spirit, come stand by a kettle for a couple hours. It’ll cheer you up,” he said.
The kettle campaign is the charitable organization’s primary fundraiser every year and spans a six-week period at 18 locations in the Langleys.
It’s a race against the clock to raise a goal of $225,000 this year, said Julie Gilfillan, operations manager at Langley Salvation Army.
“That supports everything from the entirety of our family services department, which is all our community meals, and family food hampers for singles, seniors, low-income couples – anyone that falls outside the scope of having children, because that is sponsored by the Christmas bureau,” she explained. “As well as our kids camp… and much more.”
The Salvation Army in Langley gives out more than 100,000 meals each year, Gilfillan estimated.
This year, nearly 900 backpacks of school supplies were given out to Langley kids this year, she noted.
“We are seeing more and more need grow, during and after the pandemic.”
There are more than 4,000 volunteer shifts to cover during the six-week campaign collectively at the 18 locations.
“We never want to turn somebody away or put a cap on a program. All those pieces weigh heavily on us at Christmas because this is our longest and largest fundraiser of the year, and we have to raise the majority of our fund for the year in this campaign,” Gilfillan explained.
Nicholas Ivey, fundraiser coordinator, added that while it’s challenging, it’s also rewarding to reach a goal and help the community.
“We have to feed people,” he concluded.
Donations are accepted at each kettle location by cash or card. The campaign wraps up on Dec. 23.
People can also donate online at gatwayofhope.ca.
The Gateway of Hope will hold its Christmas lunch on Thursday, Dec. 21, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and it open to the public.
It’s located at 5787 Langley Bypass.
READ ALSO: Record amount raised by Aldergrove charity car show
IN OTHER NEWS: VIDEO: Traffic control coming to Christmas in Williams Park
