Sunday marked the beginning of Salvation Army Week - Giving Hope Today in Swift Current

The week comes at the Salvation Army's busiest time of year, Christmas.

While the week began on Sunday, it was officially proclaimed by city council last night.

Last night, Major Don Grad made a presentation at city council before the week was proclaimed, explaining what they are going through within the organization as they near Christmas.

"From here to the next couple of weeks, is a lot of behind the scenes activity, and getting things ready, getting the food ready to be packed, and all that sort of stuff, and we have an amazing group of volunteers that help us with that."

Grad explained the timing of the week.

"The first week of December is typically one where we're in full gear as we're doing a multitude of things for Christmas; for the community. As just another example, this coming week we will be going to some local area seniors homes and doing a Christmas service, as well as distributing what we call a little sunshine bag."

Contained in the bag are items like tissue paper, Christmas magazines, and stuffed animals collected last Saturday during the Teddy Bear Toss at the Swift Current Broncos game.

On Thursday, December 6, the CP Holiday Train tradition also continues during the week, and the Swift Current Salvation Army will be present, collecting donations of food and money, in addition to handing out hot chocolate.

Grad spoke about how this year's fundraising has been going so far.

"Fundraising is going well, as you've probably heard me say before, we give great thanks to the people of Swift Current and area, and by people, I mean people, businesses, agencies, everything."

According to Grad, around a quarter of their $220,000 funding goal for this Christmas has been raised so far, with totals coming in at around $50,000.

This is the third year in a row that the city has proclaimed the week.

During yesterday's city council meeting, Ron Toles, Swift Current city councillor, said that in his experience Swift Current is very charitable to the Swift Current Salvation Army.

"Swift Current are a generous lot, I stood there (a Salvation Army donation location) on Saturday and watched people just putting money into those kettles, and that's amazing, hardly anybody went by without stopping to say hello and dropping in some coins."

The Salvation Army's flag is now flying at City Hall.