Volunteers now sought for Salvo’s Red Shield Appeal

Volunteering is not what it used to be; but Orange Salvation Army would like to get us back to the good old days.

Recently launching their annual Red Shield Appeal at a special luncheon auction in Orange; the group, one of our most respected charities, is looking for door-knocking volunteers for this year’s event with fewer locals putting their hands up in recent times.

“Absolutely, we’d love more volunteers for this year’s (Sunday, May 29) event,” (Major) Colin Young enthused after the launch.

“Since COVID, there was a significant drop-off in the number of volunteers from previous years. It was what it was; so we’re trying to rebuild the whole thing again,” he added.

The traditional Red Shield Appeal door-knock is not the most fashionable and hip of fundraisers, but it is one of the most important. This year’s event is focussing on family and domestic violence.

“The Salvo’s” — who do most of their good work amongst society’s neediest — estimate that a $100 donation can provide a week’s worth of nourishing meals for a woman escaping domestic violence, while $1000 can give someone a fresh start in life by helping them gain a workplace qualification and enter the workforce by paying their tuition fees.

But volunteers are still the key to the local group’s major annual fundraising event.

“We used to get up to 200-volunteers, we’d love to get back to those numbers, we had about 50–60 last year… with COVID and everything, people were just a bit hesitant about going out and door-knocking,” Colin said.

There was no hesitancy from the guest speaker at this year’s launch, Garry Zauner from sponsor, Zauner Constructions, who said that his own family history showed the important good work that groups like the Salvation Army do.

“It’s just an established charity, and our way of giving back to the community… last year they locally raised $150,000,” he explained.

“I come from a migrant background myself, my father was orphaned by the war and both my mother and father came here alone with nothing,” Mr Zauner said.

Builder of Orange Private Hospital and The Remington Hotel — venue for the launch — Mr Zauner was introduced online by long-time Salvo’s benefactor, Frank O’Halloran (AM), the former head of QBE Insurance, who personally pledged $120,000 at this year’s luncheon.

The subsequent auction of signed sports merchandise, holidays, and trips away bumped the local tally up to nearly $150,000 with a target of about $200,000, Colin revealed.

He said that one of the most important areas where the Salvation Army can assist people is in reducing those simple financial constraints that prove such an impediment for the poor.

“One of our big goals is removing the barriers to what we call ‘regular living’, that are in the way of people living a normal life.

“This means that they simply can’t pay an electricity bill, their rent, or have access to legal and financial services. Along with our Christmas Appeal, it is our most significant fund-raiser for the year,” he added.

In this theme, money from last year’s fund-raiser went to pay for a service that most members of the community would be able to cover without a second thought.

“Last year was exceptional, the money allowed us to start a new program called ‘Drive for Life’.

“It was about helping young people, who may not otherwise be able to afford it, to get their licence which is so important for their mobility, to getting jobs, breaking the cycle of poverty,” Colin said.

 Want to help out at this year’s event on Sunday, May 29? Go to: www.salvationarmy.org.au/get-involved/ or contact Major Colin Young at: colin.young@salvationarmy.org.au or call: 0419 612 446.