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General News

2 May, 2024

Salvos’ Red Shield Appeal

The Salvation Army is preparing for its Red Shield Appeal weekend, with 2024 marking 60 years of raising vital funds to support Salvos work across the community. The Salvation Army is hoping to raise $38 million nationally this year, and according...

By Maryborough Advertiser

Maryborough Salvation Army members Ronald Stobie, Natalija, Tristan Wittingslow, Ezekiel and Amy Stobie are preparing for the 60th Red Shield Appeal.
Maryborough Salvation Army members Ronald Stobie, Natalija, Tristan Wittingslow, Ezekiel and Amy Stobie are preparing for the 60th Red Shield Appeal.

The Salvation Army is preparing for its Red Shield Appeal weekend, with 2024 marking 60 years of raising vital funds to support Salvos work across the community.

The Salvation Army is hoping to raise $38 million nationally this year, and according to Maryborough Salvation Army Captain Ronald Stobie, there are plenty of ways for locals to get involved.

“We will have our usual static point collecting which will be at a couple of locations around town, and we have also been approved this year to recommence intersection collecting,” he said.

“We will also be doing our trivia and silent auction night which we have been doing for the last few years, that is on Saturday, June 1, starting at 7 pm.”

Since 2019, every cent donated to the Maryborough Salvation Army has been given to the community group instead of helping provide support services nationally.

Mr Stobie said the change has been very beneficial for the community and is a great incentive to donate.

“The great part about the Red Shield Appeal is all the money raised in our local community stays here which is absolutely huge for us,” he said.

“While there is lots of need in other places, it’s about our local community being able to support each other.

“It means that we’re able to help with our welfare support like our food parcels and Christmas Cheer, our youth and young adult programs and all the different ways in which we support our community.”

The local Salvation Army received a massive blow in December of 2023, when their thrift store caught fire, burning over 1000 pieces of clothing and around 10,000 books.

Mr Stobie said community engagement in the Red Shield Appeal would allow local Salvos to maintain their current contributions even with this setback.

“Due to the fact that we have had a big financial hit with the thrift shop burning down and not being able to have that income, this year we are putting our funds into our welfare programs,” he said

“These are things we would often use our thrift shop for, but because we don’t have those funds at this time, we are asking people to donate so we can still provide as much as we can.

“Any little donation can help — the more that we can get in our appeal this year, the more we are able to support our community going forward.”

The Salvation Army’s major Warren Elliot echoed Mr Stobie’s sentiments, and said he is hopeful to see great support for the appeal.

“Times are tough. We are seeing more people come through our doors every week, new families who have never done it this tough before, and people are feeling the pinch,” he said.

“They are skipping meals, unable to afford utility bills or medication for their kids. This is why we need your support.

“The Goldfields region needs your support more than ever. The Salvos are grateful for the generosity we have received over the past 60 years of the Red Shield Appeal and we hope to see our community come together again this year as we seek to make it another 60 years.”

You can donate locally by visiting collection points, or scan the QR code.

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Maryborough Salvation Army members Ronald Stobie, Natalija, Tristan Wittingslow, Ezekiel and Amy Stobie are preparing for the 60th Red Shield Appeal.
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