As the kettle campaign across the nation struggles, the Victoria-based communications specialist with the Salvation Army is confident the Greater Victoria community will come through as best it can.

While still finalizing the local numbers, the campaign is far from its target of $315,000, Sipili Molia told the Victoria News.

鈥淲e鈥檙e a long way from that and we鈥檙e not many days from Christmas. However, there鈥檚 always a last push and Victoria鈥檚 always good at stepping up,鈥� Molia said. 鈥淎nything at a kettle stays here in Greater Victoria. If you shop in a community and top there or put money in that kettle, it goes right to that community.鈥�

The campaign of bell-ringers on the streets has come a long way, offering people a way to donate using cash or tap options. But during the final two months of the year, the organization depends on direct mail campaigns to engage donors with 2.5 million pieces of direct mail. By mid-December, fundraising had already fallen by half for the holiday campaign, supporting 6,000 people registered locally 鈥� 2,700 of whom are younger than 18.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 not including any emergency ones that come in,鈥� Molia said.

A handful of Esquimalt students took matters into their own hands, literally, after learning the local Salvation Army was struggling to fulfill teen gifts this Christmas. The Esquimalt High robotics team hosted a toy drive on Saturday (Dec. 14).

A couple of days before, team captains Colin Morris and Bennett Fulcher dropped off fidgets and 3D-printed toys.

鈥淭he community does so much for us, with events, sponsorships and being an awesome place to grow up and live in. It always feels great to give back whatever we can and make the biggest positive impact that we can make,鈥� Morris said.

Toys in general are needed, but teen gifts are always the biggest gap between donations and need.

鈥淥ur hope is that no child goes without a toy under a tree at Christmas time,鈥� Molia said. 鈥淧eople always like to get a teddy bear 鈥� but there are a lot of teens that come through.鈥�

Good ideas include anything electric. For those looking to buy big, a scooter, small drones and gift cards are always a hit.

鈥淵ou can鈥檛 go wrong with an Amazon gift card. Then the kids can choose for themselves,鈥� Molia said.

Those without the funds to contribute could consider the gift of time.

鈥淚t is tough times for everyone so it鈥檚 understandable that not a lot of people have extra funds,鈥� Molia said. 鈥淚f you don鈥檛 have $100 and you have two hours, that can make a big difference.鈥�

Those interested can visit