Salvation Army headed to new fundraising spot after North Walmart fire

The Salvation Army is ringing bells at a new location after a fire at the north Walmart in Regina.

On Tuesday night, a fire was reported at the Walmart at 3939 Rochdale Blvd. A 12-year-old was later charged with arson in the offence.

The Salvation Army's Christmas Kettle is typically set up at the location but had to be removed when the Walmart closed for repairs.

In a statement, the organization said it learned the storewill not re-open until Dec.24. As a result, the kettle campaign will lose 12 days of fundraising.

The organization said they will also miss "Walmart Canada's Fill the Kettle Day" on Dec.21, when Walmart Canada matches the donations made by people to the Salvation Army, to a maximum of $100,000.

"To express how vital this kettle is to our fundraising efforts, in 2018, Walmart North Kettle brought in $12,650.75," the Salvation Army said in a statement. "And over half that amount, $6,600 came in the last two weeks leading up to Christmas."

Walmart Canada said in a statement that it isdoing everything it can to re-open the store but needs to ensure the location is safe. The company says there is no specific target date at this point.

Walmart Canada said it will match donations on Dec. 21and ensure it donates at least as much as what was raised last year.

A lot of these families are families that you would never think would be using the Salvation Army but because of circumstances in their life job loss or sickness that's where they have to turn to.- Grace Brown

Now Salvation Army volunteers will be set up at the North Canadian Tire in Regina.

Grace Brown has been volunteering with the Salvation army for about 50 years. She said she saw the need right away.

"Seeing people that probably wouldn't have a Christmas if it had not been for the Salvation Army," she said.

"A lot of these families are families that you would never think would be using the Salvation Army but because of circumstances in their life job loss or sickness that's where they have to turn to," Brown said.

Brown isn't sure they'll be able to make the same amount of donations as people can be shopping for different items at Canadian Tire, but she hopes they'll do well, she said.