Salvation Army begins Digital Doorknock

THE Salvation Army has taken its major annual fundraiser online this month to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.

Normally Salvation Army volunteers would now be going door-knocking and holding intersection collections for the Red Shield Appeal.

While the Salvation Army cannot use these methods, they are being no less active in their efforts to raise funds, having launched their Digital Doorknock campaign.

The Digital Doorknock involves people spreading word of the Red Shield Appeal by email, social media or text.

Bellarine Salvation Army Officer Peter Hobbs said the community had so far been fantastic in their support of the appeal.

“We are trying to get businesses involved, and then when they share it, other people see it and they get involved.

“There’s a lot of groups that have given it ago, plus regular citizens who have who are either just joining a team or collecting from themselves.”

The Greater Geelong region has raised more than $20,000 since the appeal started on May 1, with the national total more than $1.2 million.

Mr Hobbs said these funds could help a variety of causes.

“A great example of what the money will be going to is this has been last week with the storm in Geelong. There are eight families that have asked for support, and we provided them with financial relief, emergency accommodation and material aid. So that’s just one example of how the money is used locally.

“We also have the Outreach Van which the money goes to support the ongoing work of, and we have Gift Camps, where we take disadvantaged kids out away for camp.”

The Salvation Army has also reported a steep increase in the number of people asking for support from the organisation since the coronavirus reached Australian shores.

The Red Shield Appeal has subsequently been extended to the end of the financial year (June 30). To contribute to the appeal, head to digitaldoorknock.salvationarmy.org.au/t/greater-geelong.