Employees with the Beyak Automotive Group present Salvation Army's Arthur Heathcote with a cheque for $3,200 to purchase turkeys for this year's Christmas hampers, Nov. 26, 2022. Image: Randy Thoms

The Salvation Army’s Christmas hampers have been made complete.

The Beyak Automotive Group is providing the agency with $3,200 to cover the cost of turkeys going to families with the means to cook one.

The Salvation Army’s Auxiliary-Captain Arthur Heathcote is more than appreciative of the generosity.

“What a wonderful way to be able to celebrate Christmas with family, with good food. These folks here at Beyak Automotive have provided us with the funds to provide the turkeys this year for Christmas. We’re absolutely thrilled,” says Heathcote.

The Beyak Automotive Group also supported the Salvation Army with its turkey purchases last year.

Director of Fort Frances Operations Chris Hayes says they were all too happy to lend a hand.

“The community is everything to us. We wouldn’t have our businesses if it wasn’t for the community, the people of the community. So any opportunity we get to give back, we appreciate the opportunity,” says Hayes.

Heathcote says it is community support like this that keeps their programs available for those in need.

“The hamper program is completely dependent upon participation by the community and by individuals themselves. The kettle campaign that we have out there, the mail campaign that we have out there, all of these corporate partnerships are what philanthropy is all about. Everybody coming together for the same purpose – to look after families in need, especially at this time of year,” says Heathcote.

The money received will buy about 80 turkeys. Those who can’t cook one will be receiving a ham.

Those in need a little help this Christmas still have time to apply for a hamper.

Visit the Salvation Army’s Scott St. location in Fort Frances by this Friday.

The agency says due to the instability of available food products, they will not be able to guarantee a hamper request beyond the December 2 deadline.