The Salvation Army Hurstville has held an appeal launch targeting the Chinese population in the region.
The Salvation Army’s annual Red Shield Appeal is being held this month, raising money for the organisation.
The climax of the appeal will see the Red Shield door-knock held on the weekend of May 27/28, with volunteers knocking on doors asking for donations.
The Hurstville branch held a Chinese launch for the appeal last Friday at Sunny Seafood Restaurant with much of the gathering held in Mandarin.
The Salvation Army Hurstville associate officer Lydia Hong said they wanted to let the growing Chinese population in the region know more about the organisation.
“The reason we had a specific Chinese launch this year was we noticed the increase in Chinese people in the surrounding suburbs. And many of them know the logo but don’t really know the organisation behind it, and the services the Salvation Army provides,” she said.
“So it was a chance to raise the awareness about the Salvos in the Chinese community. And it can benefit both sides – those that are very generous and want to help by giving to the appeal and those that are in need.”
The Salvation Army communications and fundraising director Leigh Cleave said the organisation wanted to mobilise 60,000 people across the nation to raise $8 million over the Red Shield door-knock weekend.
“By giving just a few hours of your time, you can make a meaningful difference to the lives of people doing it tough. You can give hope where it’s needed most,” she said.
To volunteer for this year’s Red Shield door-knock weekend please call 13 72 58 or register online at salvos.org.au/volunteer. You can also contact the same number for help.
The Salvation Army help the community in many ways including counselling, emergency relief, drug and alcohol treatment, homelessness services, women’s and children’s services, and financial counselling.
