Salvos' doorknock goes digital

AFTER six decades of knocking on doors each May, The Salvation Army is taking its major fundraising appeal online in response to Covid-19’s impact on social contact this year.

Known as the Red Shield Appeal, this year's event will take the form of a "digital doorknock", with Derwent Valley residents asked to donate online 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," Captains Tim and Di Size of the Derwent Valley Salvation Army Corps said.

“We anticipate seeing some of the greatest need that we’ve ever seen in our 140-year history serving Australians," Mr and Mrs Size said. "The Covid-19 crisis has financially crippled many Australians and it will take months to see the real impact it will have," the captains said.

Money raised from the Red Shield Appeal Digital Doorknock will stay in local communities to help fund community meals and welfare services such as the Doorways program.

The Salvation Army’s most recent annual report noted its social services 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 and offered care to 13,000 people who were coping with family violence.

The Derwent Valley Salvos are seeking help to meet their
Red Shield Appeal target of $9500.

The past year also saw an ongoing response to drought, while Salvation Army Emergency Services responded to the rolling bushfires crisis by providing more than 500,000 meals and refreshments to first responders and displaced people.

“The Salvos are going digital this year and its easier than ever to volunteer your time and help raise money for those in need," Mr and Mrs Size said. "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 no more important than now," the captains said.

Derwent Valley residents can support the local work of the Salvation Army by donating online or signing-up to volunteer to fundraise: digitaldoorknock.salvationarmy.org.au. The Derwent Valley Youth Future Action Team has already signed up to help the local Salvos reach their fundraising target of $9500. Click here to donate via the D'FAT team.