Coast urged to support Red Shield Appeal

The Salvation Army is urging the Central Coast community to get involved in this year’s Red Shield Appeal to help raise vital funds to continue supporting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our region.

Across the country, the Salvos are aiming to raise $38M for the Red Shield Appeal, Australia’s largest and longest-running door-knock appeal.

This year, Australia’s most trusted charity is celebrating 60 years of the Red Shield Appeal.

“Times are tough and we are seeing more people come through our doors every week, new families who have never done it this tough before, and people are feeling the pinch,” The Salvation Army’s Andrew Hill said.

“They are skipping meals, unable to afford utility bills or medication for their kids.

“This is why we need your support,”

There are many ways to get involved including collections in shopping centres or other key locations, door knocking, online fundraising or organising a collection at your workplace, school or sporting event.

“There is no better way to support your community than through volunteering and we would love to have you as part of our Red Shield Appeal army this year,” Hill said.

“Grab a mate, some work colleagues or the entire family and join us. We can’t do our work in the community without you.”

The Red Shield Appeal weekend is May 25 and 26, but there are many volunteering opportunities throughout the month of May.

Those who can give some time, can contact the local Salvos by visiting salvationarmy.org.au/red-shield-appeal.

“The Central Coast region needs your support more than ever,” Hill said.

“The Salvos are grateful for the generosity we have received over the past 60 years of the Red Shield Appeal, and we hope to see our community come together again this year as we seek to make it another 60 years.”

 All funds raised locally will remain in the local community, allowing the Salvos to meet the specific needs of the most disadvantaged and marginalised members of our region.

Across Australia last year, through The Salvation Army’s network of over 400 centres and 2,000 services in areas such as homelessness, family and domestic violence, youth, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, financial hardship and much more, the Salvos provided assistance to one person every 17 seconds, more than 1.67 million sessions of care to over 250,000 people in need, over 1.2 million bed nights to those who needed accommodation and more than 1.63 million meals to those who accessed the homelessness services.

To donate or volunteer for The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal or if you need support from the Salvos, visit salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS.

You can also donate at any Salvos Store.