‘Be the hope our community desperately needs right now’

Funds raised locally will stay in the region to help people facing hardship.

The Salvation Army Victorian external communications manager Major Warren Elliott said many individuals and families were struggling under growing cost-of-living pressures.

“We know that people are doing it really tough in our community right now, as global uncertainty coupled with further increases in the cost of living locally puts an incredible strain on individuals and families,” he said.

“That is why we are calling on those in Goulburn and the Murray Waters to dig deep, get involved in the Red Shield Appeal, and be the hope our community desperately needs right now.”

Mr Elliott said community support was vital to the organisation’s work.

“There is no better way to support those doing it tough than by donating or volunteering with us this year,” he said.

“We can’t do our work in the community without you, so we are calling on people to partner with the Salvation Army this Red Shield Appeal and see the powerful transformation that takes place when we come together to support our fellow Aussies in need.”

The appeal will culminate in Red Shield Weekend on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31.

People can get involved throughout May by volunteering at shopping centres and community collection points, door knocking, fundraising online, organising collections at workplaces, schools or sporting events, or by making a donation.

The Salvation Army hopes to recruit 15,000 volunteers nationwide for this year’s appeal.

Last year, the organisation provided assistance to one person every 17 seconds through its network of more than 400 centres and 2000 services across Australia.

Across its programs, that included:

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.