For over 100 years the Salvation Army has blessed people in need around the holidays and they're kicking off their Christmas Kettle campaign with an inspiring breakfast.
"The city of Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba have been incredibly supportive of the work of the Salvation Army, knowing it makes a difference in the lives of their neighbours," says Major Al Hoeft, the Divisional Secretary for Public Relations of the Salvation Army, Prairie Division.
The Salvation Army is kicking off its Christmas Kettle campaign with its Hope in the City Breakfast, happening Nov. 14 at the Fort Garry Hotel.
"Our guest this year is Tareq Hadhad, the founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate," says Hoeft. "Tareq is a Syrian refugee who came to Canada just a few years ago to flee difficult circumstances. Tareq's story is inspirational."
Peace by Chocolate is located in Halifax where the Hadhad family lives now, but is sold across Canada in different stores, including in Winnipeg.
"We aren't refugees anymore," says Hadhad in a video on the website. "We're new Canadians."
Tickets for the Hope in the City Breakfast can be purchased here. The fundraising goal this year is just under $350,000.
"Those funds go to support all the programs and services that support families and individuals here in the city," says Hoeft. "Residential services, day programs, Christmas assistance and the toy programs. We're looking forward to being able to take the donations people bring to the Salvation Army, so we can continue to serve their community."
Hoeft's own life has been positively impacted by the Salvation Army, which is why he does this work.
"For me it started over 60 years ago when my father who was a person who had come back from serving a military term, had struggled with addiction, and entered into a Salvation Army program in the city of Regina. He went through that program, got his life turned around, met my mother, and the rest is history. I serve in the Salvation Army because I am a generational descendant of the work of the Salvation Army and the work that makes a difference in the lives of families."