Basseterre, St Kitts; 15 November 2018: The Mission of The Salvation Army International is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
The Salvation Army is an integral part of the Christian Church, although distinctive in government and practice. The Army’s doctrine follows the mainstream of Christian belief and its Articles of Faith emphasize God’s saving purposes. Its objects are ‘the advancement of the Christian religion… “of education, the relief of poverty, and other charitable objects beneficial to society or the community of mankind as a whole.” (Salvation Army Act 1980)
The Salvation Army Movement, founded in 1865 by William Booth, has spread from London, England, to many countries in the world, including several in the Caribbean.
A quasi-military command structure adopted in 1878 when the name, ‘The Salvation Army’, was brought into use aided the rapid deployment of the first Salvationists. A similarly practical organisation today enables resources to be equally flexible. Responding to a recurrent theme in Christianity which sees the Church engaged in spiritual warfare, the Army has used to advantage certain features such as uniforms, flags and ranks to identify, inspire and regulate its endeavours worldwide.
Raised to evangelise, the Army spontaneously embarked on schemes for the social betterment of the poor. Such concerns have since developed, wherever the Army operates, in practical, skilled and cost-effective ways. Evolving social services meet endemic needs and specific crises worldwide.
The bell ringing season of The Salvation Army worldwide starts each November and runs through to Christmas Eve, when the red kettles/cans/boxes are packed away for the season. Volunteers are usually the difference between an empty kettle and one that raises about $30 per hour in the United States – enough to provide a family with two bags of groceries, or shelter an individual for a night.
When one volunteers to bell ring or to give at a red kettle/box/can, one helps to improve, and even save lives. The money dropped in a kettle is used for the benefit of the needy in the local community.
Every day of the year The Salvation Army worldwide provides basic needs, housing, youth services, rehabilitation, and counseling and spiritual care to people in the communities that the Army serves. The Salvation Army is also often the first to arrive and the last to leave during times of disaster or crisis which was evident in the Caribbean last year with the work that was done by The Army in the islands seriously affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
The Salvation Army St. Kitts & Nevis is part of The Salvation Army Antigua Division which covers Antigua & Barbuda, St Kitts & Nevis and Dutch Sint Maarten.
In keeping with the Army’s mandate, The Salvation Army St. Kitts & Nevis, managed by Directors, Majors Roxroy and Marjorie Campbell, has worked assiduously over the years to support the poor and disaster-affected individuals in the local community. Whether it is the effects of hurricane, fires or any other disaster or crisis, the local office has sought to and continues to secure funding to assist those in the community who need it most.
Under the theme “Others” the Salvation Army St. Kitts & Nevis is launching its Red Kettle Drive for 2018 on St. Kitts this morning, here in the Circus, Basseterre. This afternoon, the Second Annual Red Kettle Drive Launch on Nevis under the same theme will be held at the War Memorial Square in Charlestown starting at 2.00pm.
The Salvation Army has expressed special thanks to CIBC First Caribbean International Bank for again being the major sponsor of the St. Kitts & Nevis Red Kettle Drive, and to Nevis Spring Water, Donald Hendrickson & Gospel Inspiration Band, the Ministry of Social Development, Youth, Sports & Community Development on Nevis for continued sponsorship. Members of the Jamaican Kittitian Nevisian (JamKitNev) Association and representatives of the Seniors Division in the Ministry of Social Development, et al on Nevis have been assisting the Salvation Army with co-ordinating activities for the Second Annual Nevis Red Kettle Launch Ceremony and the management and staff of Salvation Army St. Kitts & Nevis have indicated their appreciation for this support.
The Jamaican Kittitian Nevisian (JamKitNev) Association is the association of Jamaicans and friends of Jamaicans, including partners of Jamaicans, living in the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis (SKN). JamKitNev, with its motto of Goodwill & Unity Through Service, aims to unite Jamaicans, residing in St Kitts & Nevis in fellowship and to positively contribute in service to the community in which its members live.
The JamKitNev Association has for several years worked closely with the Salvation Army as part of its contribution to the community and as such has supported its Annual Red Kettle Drive. The Salvation Army Annual Red Kettle Drive is conducted in many cities and towns throughout the fifty nine (59) Salvation Army territories and commands in the world and is a very important source of income for the community activities of this Organization.
The Salvation Army’s partners with both private and public sector organizations in order to continue to bring comfort to the needy, while proclaiming God’s redemptive love which offers individuals and communities the opportunity to enjoy a better life on earth and a place in Christ’s everlasting Kingdom.
For The Salvation Army St. Kitts & Nevis 2018 Red Kettle Drive, Red Kettles/Red & White Counter Cans/ Red & White Counter Boxes will be at the following locations:
In St Kitts – Best Buy Supermarket, Camps; Horsford’s Valu Mart IGA, Wellington Road; Ram’s Supermarket, Bird Rock; Steppin Fine Leather, Fort Street; Westbourne Pharmacy, Westbourne Ghaut.
In Nevis – Charlestown General Post Office; Evelyn’s Drug Store, Main Street, Charlestown; Food Centre, Main Street, Charlestown; Nevis Bakery, Happy Hill Drive, Charlestown; Nevis Spring Water, Cedar Trees; Tastee Jamaican Bakery, Bay Front, Charlestown.
The JamKitNev Association joins The Salvation Army St. Kitts & Nevis is encouraging Corporate St. Kitts & Nevis and the general public to give generously to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive 2018 in support of the less fortunate within the communities in the Federation!