The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Area residents haven' t forgotten the true meaning of the holidays. Donations to the Salvation Army's Christmas appeal campaign were up over last year, and Cpt. John Kirschman couldn't be more pleased. "It was great," he said. "Flin Flon has been more than generous every year, and not just at Christmas. Everything we've needed from the public, they've always been more than generous with us." Residents dropped just under $6,600 into the Christmas kettles set up outside businesses in December. That was down from last year's total, due at least in part to the numbing weather. But overall donations, including cheques sent through the mail, more than made up the difference. The generosity allowed the Salvation Army to assemble and deliver 165 hampers Ð complete with groceries and gifts for children Ð to needy residents in Flin Flon, Creighton, Denare Beach, Cranberry Portage and Sherridon. Cpt. Kirschman praised not only those who gave cash, but those who donated their time by ringing bells and manning the kettles, which were set out for three weekends in December. "All in all, it was very successful," said Cpt. Kirschman. The Salvation Army's Christmas kettle drive has a long tradition throughout North America. The concept originated in San Francisco in 1892 when the local Salvation Army prepared warm meals in large iron kettles for unemployed dock workers. When the food supply was no longer keeping up with demand, the pots were placed on the streets, where passersby dropped off food donations.
