After more than 55 years of knocking on doors each May, The Salvation Army is taking the Red Shield Appeal digital in response to COVID-19’s impact on social contact.
Salvos living in communities around the nation are asking locals to become digital fundraisers by going to the website and using a suburb or postcode to find their nearest Red Shield Appeal to help those doing it tough.
Australians are facing an economic and social crisis unlike anything witnessed in recent decades and The Salvation Army is preparing to provide hardship support on an unprecedented scale.
The Salvos hope to enlist 10,000 virtual collectors to sign up and fundraise for the Red Shield Appeal Digital Doorknock on May 23 and 24 to help meet the challenging times ahead.
The Salvation Army Bundaberg Major Melissa Millard said “we anticipate seeing some of the greatest need that we’ve ever seen in our 140-year history serving Australians”.
“The COVID-19 crisis has financially crippled many Australians and it will take months to see the real impact it will have.”
Red Shield Appeal funds stays in local community
The money raised from the Red Shield Appeal Digital Doorknock in the Bundaberg region will stay in the local community and help fund emergency relief services, the provision of toy and food hampers in the lead-up to Christmas as well providing additional support to locals affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
The Salvation Army’s most recent annual report noted its social services provided more than one million sessions of care to Australians in need; helped 46,000 people experiencing homelessness, provided financial counselling to more than 65,000 and offered care to 13,000 people who were coping with family violence, according to The Salvation Army Australia Annual Report 2018-19.
The past year also saw an ongoing response to drought, while Salvation Army Emergency Services responded to the rolling bushfires crisis by providing more than 500,000 meals and refreshments to first responders and displaced people.
“The Salvos are going digital this year and it’s easier than ever to volunteer your time and help raise money for those in need,” Major Millard said.
“We are asking our local Bundaberg region community to partner with us to provide the critical care needed as we face these challenging times.
“We know when the chips are down, Aussies, and particularly Bundaberg Region residents, come together and do what they can to give hope, this is no more important than now.”
Sign up and volunteer to fundraise: digitaldoorknock.salvationarmy.org.au
Donations can be made at salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).
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