Red Shield Appeal 2020 counts down to closure

THE Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal is striving to reach $35 million dollars by June 30 to help sustain more than 2,000 services to Australia’s vulnerable for another year.

After the onset of COVID-19 forced the local Doorknock Weekend to go digital, the Salvos are encouraging Australians with the capacity to commit themselves, their families, small businesses or company to donate before the tax year ends.

“It is not too late to donate to this year’s Appeal. As the end of financial year approaches, it is a great opportunity for individuals and businesses to make tax deductible donations, whilst supporting vulnerable Aussies at this unprecedented time,” The Salvation Army’s Major Bruce Harmer said.

“The Salvos would like to thank the public for their incredible generosity, so far. We acknowledge that it has been a tough year for many with the ongoing drought, devastating bushfires and now with COVID-19. However, in spite of this, we have seen the true-blue Aussie spirit of mateship and phenomenal generosity. On behalf of the Australians the Salvos assist every day, we thank you.”

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Dick Smith AC and wife Pip have recognised the gravity of the times and increased their regular annual gift of $25,000 to $50,000.

In a video made for the appeal, Mr Smith said, “Pip and I are going to double our donation this year, because never before have the Salvos been so needed.”

Joining Dick and Pip Smith’s commitment to the Red Shield Appeal are Nicola and Andrew Forrest’s Minderoo foundation with a gift of $500,000, Chemist Warehouse with $300,000 (after $1.2 million for the Salvos’ Bushfire Appeal) and more than $150,000 from the Bank of America.

Australians are facing an economic and social crisis unlike anything witnessed in recent decades, with The Salvation Army preparing to provide hardship support on an unprecedented scale.

Over the past year, The Salvation Army provided more than one million sessions of care to Australians in need; helped 46,000 people experiencing homelessness, provided financial counselling to more than 65,000, offered care to 13,000 people who were coping with family violence and served 500,000 meals and refreshments to first responders and displaced people during the recent Bushfire crisis.

Donate at www.salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) or use the donation button at Woolworths checkouts.

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