THE Guyana Division of the Salvation Army will today usher in the spirit of Christmas with the launch of its annual Christmas Appeal at the Georgetown Club, beginning at 10:00 hrs. 

Special guest speaker will be President Donald Ramotar who will deliver the feature address and launch the appeal.
Following his presentation, President Ramotar will perform the ceremonial launch of the appeal, by making the first donation to the ‘kettles’. This gesture will be followed by donations from members of the Diplomatic Corps, the Private Sector and other well-wishers.

There will also be brief remarks by Divisional Commander, Major Emmerson Cumberbatch and Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Mr. Edward Boyer.

The programme will be spiced with lusty singing of carols, ushering in the festive season, led by Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries, Major Carolinda Cumberbatch. There will also be performances by the Youth Timbrel Brigade and a skit by the clients of the drug rehabilitation programme.

GIVE GENEROUSLY
In light of this season of ‘peace, goodwill and joy towards men’, the Salvation Army is urging persons give generously to the kettles, located at strategic points in the streets, beginning today.
Other ways in which persons, including the private sector, can give, include the ‘Mail Appeal’, and persons in receipt of appeal letters can take them to the bank specified by the Salvation Army, and using the account numbers provided, make their generous deposits.
Others so inclined may drop off donations at Citadel Headquarters, South Road and Alexander Streets.

The traditional ‘kettles’ are a symbol of the Army’s mantra ‘Sharing is Caring’, and is a timely reminder that throughout the year the Salvation Army engages in humanitarian acts of caring, through sharing – literally reaching out and ministering to the needs of thousands of challenged and less fortunate people in our midst.
To a large extent, it is through the generous donations to the kettles by all and sundry that the Army is able to raise funds to meet its budget, aimed at bringing peace and joy to the needy.

HUMANITARIAN PROGRAMMES
The Salvation Army utilises funds raised to conduct its year-long humanitarian programmes. Such programmes include drug rehabilitation, feeding programmes for needy children and senior citizens, League of Mercy, Women’s Home League and Counselling.
The Salvation Army Advisory Board wishes to join the Divisional Leaders in reiterating the profound gratitude to the President of Guyana, who, over the last several years, has been making generous donations, through an annual grant towards the upkeep of the Army’s drug rehabilitation programme.
The Divisional Leaders and Advisory Board also wish to extend heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Guyana for a special gift of $16 million which was used for refurbishing of the Men’s Social Services Centre – the home of the Drug Rehabilitation programme, located at Lot 6 Water Street, Kingston. Georgetown. That project has been completed and the building is soon to be dedicated and unveiled.
The next big event on the Salvation Army’s calendar is the ‘Distribution of Christmas Hampers’, slated for December 15, at Citadel Headquarters, South Road and Alexander Streets, beginning at 10:00 hrs.
This programme is intended strictly for the ‘needy’, who are encouraged to get registered and collect their tickets in advance of the date of distribution.

In the interest of ensuring a smooth and orderly distribution process, only persons with tickets will be issued with hampers.