Kettle campaign sets sights on $220,000 holiday goal

By Lethbridge Herald on November 27, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

The Salvation Army’s 127th Christmas Kettle campaign has kicked off and members of the Lethbridge Masons are ready to continue their longstanding tradition of manning the kettle located at Park Place Mall.

Lt. Zach Marshall, community ministries officer with Salvation Army told the Herald Wednesday that their Christmas Kettle Campaign is their largest public fundraising event of the year, and they are grateful for the support received by the Lethbridge Masons for over 25 years. 

“This year, we’re hoping to raise $220,000 to support the programs and services we provide at Christmas time such as our Toys for Tots campaign where we aim to help at least 500 children this Christmas,” said Marshall. 

He said funds collected from the campaign will also help other programs and services they offer throughout the year such as English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, emergency food and clothing support, or supporting seniors with community programs. 

“Our kettle campaign has kind of been synonymous with the help of the Lethbridge Masons. They’ve been helping us for a long time. For the last ten years they’ve been manning the kettle at Park Place Mall and we’re really appreciative of the support that they bring us,” said Marshall. 

On Tuesday as the kettle was being set up at Park Place mall, the Lethbridge Masons presented the Salvation Army with a cheque for $2,000 to kick the campaign off.  

“This is a huge donation that in a way, kick us off and we are looking forward to putting that money to good use,” said Marshall. 

“We have eight locations this year, up from seven last year. We have Walmart South, Walmart North, Real Canadian Superstore, Save-on-foods West, Park Place Mall, North Side Liquidation and the Salvation Army Thrift Store. And starting on Dec. 10th, we’ll be at Costco,” said Marshall. 

Howie Morrow, District Deputy Grandmaster for the Chinook Arch District for the Grand Lodge of Alberta Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons said 

“The Free Masons have been supporting the Salvation Army during the Kettle campaign as well as through our own lodge membership donations and fundraising throughout the district,” said Morrow.  

He said their district consists of seven lodges including Lethbridge, Fort MacLeod, Vulcan, Cowley, and Frank. 

“Even though we do support other charitable organizations in the community and district, the Salvation Army, is one that rises to the top like good cream for us, and we do the best we can to spread it out, but Salvation Army seems to get the most of it,” said Morrow. 

Michael Demers, Grand Lodge Officer for the Grand Lodge of Alberta, and coordinator for the Salvation Army Kettle at Park Place Mall said they will be getting help from other members this year to care for the kettle. 

“I’m also a representative of the Order of the Eastern Star Maple Leaf Chapter No. 7, which is the women’s branch of the Masons, and some of the members will be helping us out,” said Demers.  

He said they will also be giving a donation of $1,000 to the Salvation Army for the Chirstmas Kettle Campaign in the next couple of weeks. 

This year the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign has eight locations, compared to the seven they had last year. And anyone wanting to make monetary donations can stop by at any of the locations. 

“We have eight locations this year, up from seven last year. We have Walmart South, Walmart North, Real Canadian Superstore, Save-on-foods West, Park Place Mall, North Side Liquidation and the Salvation Army Thrift Store. And starting on Dec. 10th, we’ll be at Costco,” said Marshall.