Though the floods that threw the region into chaos were 18 months ago, Major Scott Smallacombe said many people were still displaced from their homes.
“One family can’t go back to their house, so they have to live in a private rental,” Mr Smallacombe said.
“So then someone else who could’ve lived in that rental might have to live in a caravan, and someone who could have lived in that caravan might now be homeless.”
Mr Smallacombe said the Red Shield Appeal nationwide this year aimed to raise $38 million, but any funds raised locally would stay in the area to help the local community.
“Most of the funds go to hard services, such as food, but we’re finding the healthy community side of things really important these days,” he said.
While the organisation offers support for things such as homelessness, family and domestic violence, youth, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, financial hardship and much more, locally it is now helping community members feel less lonely through creative activities.
“People are looking for a place to belong,” Mr Smallacombe said.
“Along with the community meal we put on once a week, we’ve started organising activities each day where people can come and feel safe while engaging in something fun, like making teddy bears and other artistic things.”
Last year’s appeal raised $16,000 in the Goulburn Valley.
Volunteers are needed to help collect at donation points in the two weeks leading up to the Red Shield Appeal, while on the actual weekend — May 25 and 26 — more are needed to rattle tins at the traffic lights at the Wyndham St-Balaclava Rd intersection.
Gone are the days where Red Shield Appeal collectors would go from door to door asking for donations.
“I was out for three hours door-knocking during one appeal and raised just $30,” Mr Smallacombe said.
“Not many people are home and not many people have cash on hand anymore.”
Retired envoy June Zelley, who volunteers daily at The Salvation Army in Nixon St and has been helping collect for the appeal since its inception, said once upon a time you might have had to hike to a house up a huge hill only to find there’s nobody home.
Nowadays, donators can tap their card at donation stalls if their pockets are empty of hard cash.
“We find our biggest supporters are the ones from low-income homes who’ve done it tough themselves,” Mrs Zelley said.
“They know what it’s like, and they are aware of the ways we can help people.”
Mr Smallacombe said the floods highlighted to many people who had never needed help before just how important the work of The Salvation Army is.
“If you like what we’re doing, please support us,” he said.
To donate or volunteer for The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal or if you need support from the Salvos, visit salvationarmy.org.au or phone 13 SALVOS. You can also donate at any Salvos Store.
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