By JESSE GRAHAM
THE Salvos are seeking volunteers in Healesville to hit the streets, knock on doors and shake tins to collect for the upcoming Red Shield Appeal.
The appeal will start on Tuesday 20 May and run through until 1 June throughout Healesville, with collectors set to hit the main street and residential areas.
Healesville Salvation Army Minister Sarah Eldridge said that collectors will be at the Healesville Walk Shopping Centre, outside the Healesville Jewellers and on the corner of Green Street and Nicholson Street (Maroondah Highway), as well as door knocking residential streets.
Ms Eldridge said that all money raised throughout the collection period goes to the Salvos’ social programs, which include assistance for the homeless, families and young people in crisis.
“It just gives the Salvation Army an opportunity to continue the vital work it’s already doing, and to meet needs as they arise,” she said.
“When there’s a natural disaster, we need to have funds there on site before the appeals happen – we’re able to do that through having the Red Shield Appeal and through generous donations from the public.”
Ms Eldridge said that about 140 volunteers took to the streets of Healesville and their own residential areas to help collect money for the campaign, and she encouraged anyone with a few hours to spare to get involved.
“If people had an hour or two that they can volunteer, we would absolutely appreciate that,” she said.
Through last year’s Red Shield Appeal, the Healesville Salvation Army raised more than $10,000 and Ms Eldridge said she hoped that the campaign could beat last year’s amount.
For more information on the Healesville Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal, or to volunteer, contact Sarah Eldridge on 0429 988 920 or visit www.salvos.org.au.
