Volunteers will be out and about manning booths and knocking on doors across the Blue Mountains to collect donations for The Red Shield Appeal this weekend, May 19 and 20 — the major annual fund-raising event for The Salvation Army.
The campaign got off to a great start with a Red Shield Appeal breakfast launch held last Wednesday at Waldorf Resort in Leura, with proceeds from the event donated to the appeal.
Upper Blue Mountains Corps officer Lieutenant Jon Belmonte and Blue Mountains Mayor Daniel Myles joined volunteers, local business people and a graduate from The Salvos’ Hadley Lodge Rehabilitation Centre in Leura at the launch where guests were given an overview of the many types of humanitarian services provided by The Salvation Army every day.
It has often been said The Salvation Army offers caring support for every problem “from the cradle to the grave” and is able to link different services within its network to enhance its capacity to help those in need.
In the Blue Mountains The Salvos provide services including:
• chaplaincies offering counsel and comfort to victims of natural disasters, emergencies, traumatic incidents and crime;
• community welfare assistance to families and individuals facing financial pressure;
• providing food, clothing, household items, vouchers, legal aid and toys/Christmas hampers to people in need;
• crisis and supported accommodation, refuges for women and children;
• recovery programs and services for people with addictions to alcohol, other drugs or gambling; and
• youth services including counselling, recreation programs, outreach and reconnecting families
Support the Red Shield Appeal this weekend by making a donation. Organisers are also looking for volunteer drivers for the Springwood area. For more information, visit www.salvos.org.au.
