The Guyana Division of the Salvation Army yesterday ushered in the festive season with the traditional launch of its Annual Christmas Kettles Appeal in the city, under the theme: “Sharing is Caring”.
At the Georgetown Club, Camp Street, the launch, eagerly anticipated at this time of year, attracted a modest gathering of civil society members who enthusiastically joined the Divisional Officers, soldiers and members of the Advisory Board in celebration of the occasion.
The gathering included Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; guest speaker Ramesh Dookhoo, who is also Head of the Private Sector Commission and Business Development Executive of Banks DIH; Salvation Army Divisional Leaders – Majors Sinous and Marie Theodore; Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Edward Boyer and others.
Divisional Commander Theodore, in his welcome remarks, expressed gratitude to those present for setting aside ‘quality time’ from their busy work schedules to be with the Army on such an occasion. He thanked them for their generosity, love and support in making the Army’s mandate for bringing joy and comfort to the hearts of the less fortunate in society a reality.

And disclosing that amidst global economic realities, the target set for this year’s kettles is $8M, Major Theodore passionately appealed to Guyanese for their partnership towards realizing this target. And thanking the public at large for their contributions in the past, as well as those to which the Army now looks forward, he admonished them:  “We call for the large donations, as well as for the pennies.” And he acknowledged the help of the Government and people of Guyana through ongoing grants of $5M annually committed to by President Bharrat Jagdeo, beginning in 2007, to help the army’s drug rehabilitation  programme.
Other aspects  of the Army’s programmes, for which monies donated through the kettles and donations through the banks and mail are expended, include:  The Drug Rehabilitation Programme; the Christmas Hampers distribution to the needy; hampers for shut-ins, toys and other forms of cheer for needy children and patients of the Georgetown Hospital Paediatric and other wards; and the Women’s Home in Bent Street, Wortmanville. Other activities of the Army include home visitation by women of the League of Mercy and  working with persons Living with HIV/AIDS.
Prime Minister Hinds who, for the past five years, has continued to grace the forum with his presence, observed that the occasion is, for him, a timely and welcome signal that Christmas is in the air.  He commended the army for its work among the needy in Guyana, particularly its successful Drug Rehabilitation Programme, and challenged the nation to respond to the call for help.
“If I had the opportunity to ask Santa Claus for one thing, it would be for the feelings of generosity that slips into us as Christmas remains with us throughout the New Year,” he said.
Meanwhile, guest speaker, Dookoo joined in commending the work of the Army, and as head of the Private Sector Commission, he promised to encourage private sector entities to give help to recognized bodies such as the Salvation Army as they go about their business of helping the poor and needy.
And Mr. Edward Boyer who heads the Advisory Board, joined in thanking the people of Guyana for supporting the Army’s Christmas Appeal through the years.  Noting that the task of raising $8M is not an easy one, he nevertheless stressed that it was genuinely needed to help the body move on with its programmes all designed to benefit the poor and less fortunate.