INSIDE: Skeleton racer Amy Gough & her bounce-back bronze Pg. 25 T U E S D A Y
December 14, 2010
3 N E W S ,
SPORTS,
KEEPER OF THE
WEATHER
&
Sikh temple celebrates 100 historic years
E N T E R T A I N M E N T abbotsfordtimes.com
KETTLE
Now 73, Mavis Nielsen’s jingling bells still fetch the most money for Abbotsford’s Salvation Army fundraising drive. Exactly how much? “I don’t care,” she says, “as long as [the kettle] does well.” ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
donor, and wish him or her a Merry Christmas. Most respond by thanking her for her avis Nielsen may be the picture of work. joviality dressed as Mrs. Claus in She fascinates kids, and those who make her long red and white robe and donations get a candy cane treat. a Santa hat that flashes the words “Merry “They love the bells,” Mavis observes. Christmas,” but she’s all business when ringHer kettle is the top earner each year, but ing her jingle bells. Mavis has no idea how much money she The 73-year-old has been a collects. Salvation Army Christmas ket“I don’t know and I don’t care tle volunteer for a decade, and “I do it because how as long as [the kettle] does well,” has spent nine of those years she says. at “her spot” at the entrance to do I know in years However, she’s noticed donathe West Oaks Mall on South tions are harder to come by this Fraser Way. year. to come, I might not She works six days a week Times are tough, there aren’t from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., except need some help?” enough jobs and the unemployon Thursdays when she starts ment rate is high, says Mavis. at 1 p.m. because she volun“People are hurting. You take a teers in the morning at her – Mavis Nielsen volunteer look at the food bank.” church. The Salvation Army’s Christ“I’ve been doing this 10 years mas Kettle Campaign is the priand I love it,” says Mavis. mary source of funding for the services the “My husband passed away 11 years ago organization provides year round at its Cenand I’m on my own. I don’t like to stay at tre of Hope. home. I like to be where the people are. You’re The Sally Ann has set a fundraising goal of constantly talking so the time just flies.” $475,000 this year in order to meet increasing Most merchants and many donors know demand for its services such as the emergenher by name and stop to chat. cy shelter, meal centre, transition programs “People bring me coffees and something and advocacy and outreach workers. to eat,” says Mavis. “They do good work. I’m behind them 100 Shoppers of every age and background per cent,” says Nielsen. contribute to her kettle. “I do it because how do I know in years to Mavis takes care to thank every single come, I might not need some help?”
M
– JEAN KONDA-WITTE/TIMES
Mavis Nielsen has been volunteering to staff the Salvation Army kettle at West Oaks Mall for many years, and likes interacting with people who stop to chat.
House fires flare wreath’s red light g n i p p Sho easy made o Shop
A
pair of residential blazes spanning the weekend has the Abbotsford Fire and Rescue Service seeing red instead of green on its Christmas wreath.
The wreath is to mark any preventable residential fires throughout December, and sports 31 green lights representing the 31 days of the month, with the goal being
to “keep the wreath green” for the entire month. An overheated gang plug at a home in the 2800 block of Allwood Street caused about $300 in damage Fri-
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