Give generously to kettle appeal – Kelvin Pompey

The 2012 Salvation Army kettle appeal has been launched and persons have been asked not to pass by without making a donation.{{more}}

Comptroller at the Inland Revenue Department Kelvin Pompey delivered the feature address at Friday’s launch outside the General Post Office in Kingstown.

“It’s an unfortunate reality that despite the Church’s efforts there still exist significant gaps between the haves and the have-nots.

“While some persons live lavish lifestyles, others go hungry on a daily basis. Someone must be responsible for identifying and caring for those who don’t have,” Pompey told the gathering.

Pompey said the Salvation Army must therefore be commended for heeding the call of Jesus in Deuteronomy 15:11 that “there will always be poor people in the land, I therefore urge you to be open-handed towards your brothers and towards the poor and needy.”

He said: “As we approach the festive Christmas season, it is important that we are reminded that our forefathers christened our island Hairouna — Land of the Blessed. The question for us all is how have we in our endeavours, strived to be a blessing to others?”

Pompey further said the appeal is an opportunity to act.

“It is not enough to give lip service to concepts such as love, charity and caring for our fellowmen.

“… we must all adopt and integrate the gift of giving in an open and unending way in our lives, not just for this season, but throughout the entire year,” Pompey further said.

Among the audience at the launch were students of the Imani and the Salvation Army pre-schools.

Pompey reminded the students and adults that acts of selfless giving, kindness, and generosity to the poor are pleasing to God.

“Therefore, I take this opportunity to challenge and make an appeal to all those listening for us to join with the Army in this battle to assist the poor and needy of this country.

“As we make our plans for the Christmas season and lustily sing, ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year’, let us be prepared to give generously to the kettle appeal so as to ensure that as many persons as possible can join in singing this song,” he said.

He further called on the corporate sector, government ministries and departments, civic organizations, non-state entities, individuals, households, groups and other organizations “to put aside a little from their budgets for decorations and other Christmas festivities and donate these amounts to this kettle appeal, so that those in need can enjoy a meal and receive packages this Christmas.”

Following Pompey’s address, the pre-schoolers were among the first to make donations to the kettle. (AA)