Salvation Army: Support needed as annual doorknock appeal goes digital
Coasties are being urged more than ever to support the Salvo’s annual Red Shield Appeal after this weekend’s popular doorknock was cancelled for the first time in 55 years.
Central Coast
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After more than 55 years of knocking on doors each May, The Salvation Army is taking the Red Shield Appeal digital in response to COVID-19’s impact on social contact.
The devastating blow comes after the Roads and Maritime Service halved its number of popular road side collection points last year.
The charity is also expecting fewer donations this year after Australians were so generous towards the various bushfire appeals last summer.
The Central Coast has always embraced the annual Red Shield doorknock appeal more than most areas and The Salvo’s hope residents get behind the digital appeal with the same gusto.
The charity is asking locals to become digital fundraisers by going to digitaldoorknock.salvationarmy.org.au and using a suburb or postcode to find their nearest Red Shield Appeal to help those doing it tough.
Australians are facing an economic and social crisis unlike anything witnessed in recent decades and The Salvation Army is preparing to provide hardship support on an unprecedented scale.
The triple whammy for this year’s Red Shield Appeal on the coast come with the forced cancellation of the annual breakfast launch at Mingara Recreation Club where businesses and community leaders typically raise about $50,000-$60,000.
Salvation Army spokeswoman Nicole Jenkinson said the money raised from the Red Shield Appeal digital doorknock would stay in local communities across the Central Coast to help fund a range of social programs including Oasis Youth Services, Moneycare Financial Counselling and ongoing emergency response programs like community meals, the provision of food parcels and financial relief for people experiencing hardship.
“We anticipate seeing some of the greatest need that we’ve ever seen in our 140-year history serving Australians,” she said.
“The COVID-19 crisis has financially crippled many Australians and it will take months to see the real impact it will have.
“The Salvo’s are going digital this year and it’s easier than ever to help us raise money for those in need. By creating your own Salvos Digital Doorknock page you and your peers will have the opportunity to help locals in need.”
“We are asking our local community to partner with us to provide the critical care needed as we face these challenging times. We know when the chips are down, Aussies come together and do what they can to give hope, this is more important than ever,” Ms Jenkinson said.
To lend your support to the Red Shield Appeal, go to digitaldoorknock.salvationarmy.org.au and search your postcode to make an individual donation, or create your own Digital Doorknock page and invite your friends and family to join you in supporting the Salvos in your community.