Kamloops Honda sets new record in 30th year of Christmas Hamper campaign

KAMLOOPS — For three decades Kamloops Honda has supported the Salvation Army with its Christmas hamper fundraiser. With some help from local businesses like the Save-on-Foods in Sahali and the north shore Canadian Tire, 100 Kamloops families will be able to enjoy a Christmas dinner this year.

It was a record breaking year for the team at Kamloops Honda in 2022 as they were able to donate 100 food hampers to the salvation army for distribution.

“The most important thing is to help the people who need the help the most. That is why partnering with the Salvation Army is terrific,” said Kamloops Honda GM Troy Collinge.

As the Salvation Army has been struggling to reach some of its fundraising, Captain Kelly Fifield was thrilled to see its long-standing partner step up again.

“A partnership like this is just incredible for us. Knowing that we are walking into a season with so many unknowns in the air. Knowing that Kamloops Honda is there once again to step up and help us with the food hampers is just an incredible weight that is taken off our shoulders every year,” said Fifield.

On top of the 100 hampers provided by Kamloops Honda, the Salvation Army also ran its Adopt a Family campaign to help more families than ever before this year with 300 families being supported.

“We are just seeing people in different situations, people who have never come in to see us before have been coming in looking for support this year,” said Fifield. “For us, it’s always nice to be able to walk alongside people in our community who are struggling with something so nice as these hampers, to be able to support them with the relief to know that Christmas dinner is taken care of for them.”

Collinge noted that it’s not just a holiday season initiative for his team, as they plan all year for the hampers.

“It’s just so important to the staff that we contribute back to the community that we live. Because we work here but we also live here so it’s really important that the staff to contribute back to the community, they love it,” said Collinge.

The hampers, along with $50 gift cards are being distributed today (Dec. 21) to families in need.