The annual Red Shield Appeal is coming up on May 27-28, where money is raised for the social work the Salvation Army does around Australia.
“Our services on the frontline are under increasing pressure and donations to the Red Shield Appeal allow us to continue to meet the changing needs of the community,” said Salvation Army spokesperson Warren Palmer.
“For many people hard times can simply be one paycheck away, with many families in the local York and Northam areas doing it tough and relying on The Salvation Army for support. We are seeing many new people who have not needed our support before,” he said.
Salvation Army workers and a small number of volunteers will be at busy public areas in York, Beverley, Quairading, Wyalkatchem to raise money for the appeal.
Northam and York Salvation Army captains Chris and Allison Footer have asked for support from the community during the fundraiser.
“We are asking for the financial support of the community– that is essentially what the Red Shield is,” said Allison.
“It is the financial donations that we need to go into social programs like rehabilitation centres, homelessness and domestic violence – just to name a few.”
Allison said due to the lack of volunteers this year, they will not be door knocking.
Chris and Allison said they are looking at focusing on drug and alcohol services in the future, utilising their previous experience at the Salvation Army Drug and Alcohol Centre as part of the management team.
“That’s something we are passionate about,” said Allison.
“With drugs, alcohol and addiction being a big issue up here, we want to try and build a ministry around that and (work out) how we can support families and individuals who are affected by addiction.
“We are exploring that with different local agencies to see how we can assist in that.”
The pair are currently working with a Disability Carer’s Support Group on a weekly basis and offer emergency relief to local families.
The Salvation Army shop is in the process of relocating from Fitzgerald Street to the Northam Salvation Army headquarters on 3 Elizabeth Place.
Keep an eye out for the pair during the Red Shield Appeal or to make a donation by phone call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58), or go online at salvos.org.au, or in person at any Westpac branch or by posting your cheque to PO Box 9888.
