Dig deep and help the Red Shield Appeal

THE Salvation Army in the Gippsland are urging the community to get involved in this year’s Red Shield Appeal, with funds raised locally staying local to support community services and programs in the area.

In Victoria, the Salvos are aiming to raise $950,000 during the Red Shield Appeal this year to support community members doing it tough.

There are a number of ways community members and volunteers can get involved – community collection points, doorknocking, online fundraising, or organising a collection at your workplace, school or sporting event.

While all Australians are feeling the pinch of the cost of living pressures, it’s more extreme for some. The Salvos are seeing more and more people living below the breadline – skipping meals, going without prescribed medications, struggling to keep the lights on. 

The Red Shield Appeal weekend is set for May 20 and 21, however there are a number of volunteer opportunities available throughout May.

Get in touch with your local Salvos by visiting salvationarmy.org.au

At the Leongatha Salvos, they will be holding a ‘sleepout’ on May 20, which will help raise awareness of homelessness and funds.

They will also be holding an art exhibition on June 3 at the Leongatha site, which will feature local artists.

Keep an eye out for their appeal buckets in the coming weeks.

Now in its 59th year, the annual Red Shield Appeal funds vital community programs, including financial assistance, homelessness, family and domestic violence, and drug and alcohol services.

Each year, through The Salvation Army’s nationwide network of services, the Salvos provide: 

* Assistance to one person every 17 seconds

* More than 1.86 million sessions of care to people in need

* Over 1 million bed nights to those in need of accommodation

* More than 1.52 million meals to people who accessed our 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.