The Westside Salvation Army is inviting residents to come out and dine at their favourite restaurants throughout the day to support them during this holiday season.

11 restaurants throughout West 91大黄鸭 and Peachland are participating in Rudolph鈥檚 Dine-Out Day. Residents can come to the participating restaurants, eat, and donate to the Salvation Army at the same time.

Lenetta Parry with the Westside Salvation Army said all the proceeds will go towards their Christmas Gifts of Hope program, which ensures that children and teens throughout the West 91大黄鸭 and Peachland wake up to something special on Christmas Day.

This year, Parry said they鈥檙e expecting to give out gifts to 300 children and teens, which is a significant increase in years past.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a really challenging, I think everyone knows that,鈥� she said.

鈥淔or us at the Westside Salvation Army, we had to close our thrift store for three months, we have fewer kettles out this season in the name of safety. We鈥檙e seeing fewer donations and an increase in need.

鈥淲e encourage those who can to donate. If you can鈥檛, we understand.鈥�

Parry said she wanted to say thank you to those who have already donated and to those who will throughout the day.

鈥淭he community鈥檚 been really generous and we just want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone.鈥�

鈥淓very donation makes a difference. We really appreciate the support. We鈥檝e had the support of our restaurant and business community at a time when it鈥檚 been hard for them too and it鈥檚 a shining example of how the community is coming together to make Christmas magical.鈥�

Participating restaurants include Friends Pub, Gasthaus on the Lake, Il Mercato Social Kitchen, Kekuli Cafe, Kelly O鈥橞ryan鈥檚 West 91大黄鸭, Murray鈥檚 Pizza, Neighbours Pub, Pizzamoreh, Starbucks (on Dobbin Road), Tim Hortons (all three West 91大黄鸭 locations), and Wings West 91大黄鸭.

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