Victorians are being encouraged to give more generously than ever for this year’s annual Red Shield Appeal.
The nationwide Salvation Army fund-raiser was launched earlier this month.
Last year, more than $22 million of the $42 million raised in Victoria was from the regions.
Organisers hope the state will again make a huge contribution to this year’s national appeal target of $80 million.
Money raised from the appeal is used to help deliver more than 1000 social programs for people in need.
Doorknockers will be out and about on the weekend of May 24-25, but there are plenty of other opportunities to make a donation, with an army of volunteers collecting at football games, shopping centres and intersections.
Salvation Army’s fund-raising secretary Evan Cassidy can’t stress enough the community’s responsibility to donate.
“We help those who in many cases can’t help themselves,” he said. “Raising as much as we possibly can is the main focus. This year’s theme, ‘Our help is in your hands’, reflects the reliance the Salvation Army has on community members to chip in.”
Money raised will go toward aged-care facilities, youth support, disability services, women’s refuges and employment and education training.
To register to become a doorknocker or to make a donation to the appeal, call 13 77 258 or visit www.salvos.org.au.
