99-year-old Lil Utman dropped the puck at centre ice to begin the 2019 Salvation Army’s Kettle Kickoff at Appleby Ice Centre on November 15th. This also began Friday night’s game between Burlington Cougars and the Georgetown Raiders.
Accompanying Lil to centre ice was a crew of Salvationists and Salvation Army supporters including Major Jacobs, the Downhams, Fire Chief Lazenby, Deputy Mayor Kelvin Galbraith, Kettle Coordinator Laura Oros and son Daniel. The two team captains Hobbs and Paul also joined the group at centre ice for photos. Salvationist Gillian Street sang a delightful ‘0 Canada’.
Lil, with endless energy, is the Army’s number one soldier having helped start up the church in 1967. Remarkably, she participates with the choir, organizes square dancing nights, volunteers for the kettles, and also finds time to cheer on the Ticats, Blue Jays and Leafs. She will celebrate her 100th birthday next June.
The Salvation Army is grateful to the Burlington Cougars for this Kettle kickoff partnership. Last year, through the Christmas kettles, they were able to help 900 households in our community. This season’s campaign runs until December 24th at eighteen Burlington locations and the goal is to raise $350,000. Brand new this year: Volunteers are now equipped with debit machines so you can just tap to donate. What could be easier?
Written by Leslie Styles
