SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The local Salvation Army may have come in shy of its ambitious goal for this year's Christmas Kettle campaign, but it certainly didn't stop the local organization from brightening hundreds of families' holidays.

Lt. Laurie Sauder of the Salvation Army, left, Air Tindi customer service manager Darla McAndie, Salvation Army executive director Lt. Dusty Sauder and Air Tindi pilot Bob Reid load Christmas hampers onto a plane at the Air Tindi hangar on Dec. 12. - photo courtesy of Dusty Sauder

A total of $36,460.81 was raised toward the organization's target of $45,000 between Nov. 17 and Dec. 23 - funds that supported the purchase of Christmas hampers filled with turkey, fresh produce and toys for people across the territory.

"It was still a successful campaign," said the organization's executive director, Lt. Dusty Sauder. "We're very happy. Many, many people volunteered their time. Businesses gave us their space to be able to put the kettles in. And, of course, people trusted us with their hard-earned money."

Last year, the organization brought in approximately $39,000, a huge jump from the $22,000 raised in 2014. Sauder said the momentum of the last few years encouraged the organization to set its sights high again in 2016.

More than 100 volunteers manned kettles around Yellowknife this year, stationed at Walmart, Canadian Tire and the city's two liquor stores for three days each week during the six-week campaign.

The money raised through the kettle campaign primarily supports the organization's Christmas hamper program.

According to Sauder, $10,000 worth of turkeys were purchased this year.

"The rest of that money goes to family services," he said.

That includes food hampers for the rest of the year, advocacy work, toiletries for clients as well as funding for the community kitchen.

Two hundred and seventy families in Yellowknife received Christmas hampers this holiday season. A total of 298 children 14-years old and younger received gifts collected through a Christmas toy drive held in partnership with Northwestel.

Altogether, Sauder said 729 individuals benefited from the 2016 hamper program.

Last year, the organization distributed 282 hampers in Yellowknife and gave toys to 311 children.

Air Tindi and 440 Squadron volunteered to fly another 248 hampers to Behchoko, Fort Providence, Fort Simpson, Fort Liard, Lutsel K'e, Gameti, Fort Resolution and Whati - an increase of eight hampers from the year before. The air deliveries are an aspect of the Salvation Army campaign that is unique to the North, Sauder said.

And for those looking for more than food, but also a bit of company over the holidays, the Salvation Army once again opened its doors for its Christmas feast on Dec. 25. Around 30 volunteers helped serve 100 clients a hot meal of turkey, stuffing, fresh vegetables and desserts.

"A lot of helping hands made it very, very welcoming. There was definitely no scrambling," Sauder said.

As for the kettle campaign and Christmas hampers, Sauder said his organization owes it to the support of the community.

"We're just appreciative that we were able to be part of that and to help folks have a wonderful Christmas morning so they could have an amazing meal and make sure their kids have toys under the tree," Sauder said.