April 26, 2012
The Salvation Army is looking for extra volunteer collectors in the South Burnett for this year’s annual Red Shield Appeal.
The appeal – which will be held on Sunday, May 20 – is the Salvos’ major annual fund-raiser.
But while they have plenty of volunteer drivers to take collectors around the area, what they really need are more people to knock on doors.
“We welcome anyone who’d like to become a Red Shield Appeal collector,” Kingaroy’s Salvation Army Captain Allan Kerr said today.
“Husbands and wives can do it together. So can family groups, sporting teams… even just good mates who’d like to do something for the community.
“The only proviso we have is that young people under 15 need their parents’ written approval before they can take part.”
Collectors are well looked after, too.
On collection day in Kingaroy, they assemble outside the Westpac Bank in Alford Street at 8:00am before being kitted up and whisked away for a two-hour collecting run. Then they’re driven back for a sausage sizzle, drinks and bonus McDonald’s vouchers as a “thank you” for taking part.
Funds raised from the South Burnett go into the State’s Red Shield Appeal pool, which in turn is used to help fund Salvation Army programs in the region.
“Traditionally we’ve always run the Red Shield collection just in Kingaroy because that’s where we’ve had the volunteer numbers,” Captain Carolyn Kerr said.
“But we’d be happy to do the same thing in Murgon, Nanango or any other town if enough volunteers offer to help.
“We usually just have a street collection in Murgon but if enough people put up their hands we’d be happy to run a doorknock campaign there instead.”
Volunteer collectors can register online on the Salvation Army website or can phone Allan or Carolyn locally on (07) 4162-5246.
Donations to this year’s appeal can also be made online or by calling 13 SALVOS (13-72-58).
