Elsie Lange
On the front of the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal website, a weary mother clutches her baby close, her face a reminder of the fear and fatigue so many women experience every day.
This year, the annual appeal is aimed at helping women experiencing homelessness because of family and domestic violence.
Sunbury Salvation Army Sunbury Corps’ senior minister Kimberley Featherston said any funds raised locally would be donated back into the community – directly helping the people they walk past every day.
“One of the things that I always say is that it’s the smallest amounts that add up, no matter what you can give, that’s a real gift,” Ms Featherston said.
“Whether it’s the silver coins, it doesn’t even have to be gold coins, because if everyone’s doing that it all adds up at the end to help out in the bigger picture.”
In Sunbury, the money raised will go towards buying a washing machine to be available to people who need it, to be located at St Mary’s church.
Through their services or programs, the Salvation Army helps someone every 17 seconds – the organisation says this only happens because of the public’s support of the Red Shield Appeal.
Ms Featherston said while the practical side of the Red Shield Appeal happens over a short time, there was continuing opportunities to volunteer locally.
“That might be in our emergency relief centre, helping to pack the hampers and providing them to the community,” Ms Featherston said.
To donate, visit: bit.ly/3yKUtWj.
