The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Kettle Campaign needs 145 weekly volunteer shifts filled between now and Christmas Eve to reach their $60,000 goal.

Each kettle requires a volunteer attendant working for two hours.

With so many empty shifts, that means some kettles might not be set out to collect donations, the Army said Tuesday.

“Each kettle shift that’s filled helps raise enough money to support four or five individuals with life’s basic necessities, such as food hampers, diapers for their babies or toddlers, toys for Christmas, and Christmas hampers,” said Lt. Rebecca Pretty, the Salvation Army officer in Whitehorse.

“However, when our kettle sits empty without volunteers, this is jeopardized.”

The $60,000 they hope to raise will stay local and provide practical programs to vulnerable people and families.

Programs include Share the Spirit (a partnership with the Whitehorse Firefighters Charitable Society) and the Community and Family Services Emergency Assistance Program. That supplies food hampers, food support, basic hygiene needs, winter care kits, etc.

There are six kettle locations in Whitehorse: Canadian Tire, Walmart, Save On Foods, the Real Canadian Superstore, the local government liquor store and Wyke’s Independent Grocer.

If you can spare a few hours to help, the Sally Ann said, you’re urged to become a part of the “Army of Givers” and sign up by calling 393-8320.

“Every donation makes a difference, every shift can change a life,” the Army said.

“Volunteers are crucial to our kettle campaign being a success,” said Lt.-Col. Brian Venables, the Salvation Army’s divisional secretary for public relations.

“We want to make sure everyone has a Merry Christmas, and to have access to our programs year-round – the kettle campaign makes that happen.”