Over $141K raised by Fort St. John Salvation Army during Christmas season

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Salvation Army raised more than $141,000 during its 2025 Christmas Kettle Campaign.

According to the Salvation Army’s community ministries coordinator Patricia Budgell, who also oversaw the campaign, $141,635.64 was raised between November 13th and December 24th through donation kettles, special events and community fundraisers.

“I want to thank the community, all the people that donated, all the people that volunteered and all the locations that allowed us to set up,” Budgell told Energeticcity.ca. 

“All of this came from the community, local businesses and individual families.”

While the funds were raised during the Christmas season, Budgell noted the money supports operations year-round, helping maintain its food bank and community and family services.

In addition, the Salvation Army announced in a Facebook post on January 12th that 404 individuals were supported through the initiatives, including 145 families, with 194 toy hampers also being distributed to children.

Budgell said the toy hamper initiative helps ensure children wake up to gifts on Christmas morning, while families and seniors also receive a holiday meal, including items such as turkey or ham.

“Families come in, they fill out an application, they’re approved based on need and then we provide them with a holiday dinner,” she explained. 

“Every child under the age of 18 would get a toy hamper or a gift card, so when the kids wake up, they have something under the tree.”

A toy drive was held last month, which saw about 1,200 gifts and $900 in gift cards being donated in support of the initiative.

The drive was organized by Home Hardware, Moose FM and Strait Group. Moose FM is owned by Moose Media, which is also the parent company of Energeticcity.ca.

In addition, the Salvation Army reports 7,239 pounds of food were collected over the five-week period through initiatives such as the Fort St. John Huskies’ Fill the Bus food drive.

“The hockey community was definitely a big part of that,” Budgell said.

About 385 people volunteered with the Salvation Army during the season.