Salvation Army Thanks Donors & Volunteers for Appeal Week Support

Salvation Army Week has raised more than half a million dollars to support Army social and family programmes that help people in need.

Thousands of collectors volunteered for duty in shopping malls, department stores, supermarkets, train stations and at intersections. Wherever there were people, collectors were to be found wearing reflective jackets and carrying large buckets emblazoned with the Red Shield.

Enterprising collectors in Dunedin, for example, appealed to fans attending a rugby match at Carisbrook Stadium. Another team positioned themselves at Wellington Train Station from 6.45am to catch commuters.

The Army also reached out to people through television and newspaper advertising – some of which was given gratis. Australian Idol star Guy Sebastian lent support, allowing his hit ‘Angels Brought Me Here’ to be used as the appeal song. Donations were also accepted via reply-paid envelopes inserted in major newspapers, a freephone donation line and via a secure facility on the Army’s Web site.

Salvation Army Public Relations Secretary Major David Bennett said that although donations were down on the previous year, the amount raised still represented a significant contribution towards The Salvation Army’s social and family programmes. More than 200,000 people in New Zealand are helped annually at a cost last year of $76 million dollars.

Major Bennett said that the Army was grateful for the support of volunteers, many of who worked unsociable hours in unpleasant weather. ‘Volunteers are a key part of Salvation Army Week,’ he said. ‘Without the many who are willing to give freely of their time, the appeal would not be able to go ahead.’

He also expressed thanks to the tens of thousands of people who took the time to make a donation. ‘We really appreciate the support shown for what we do to help people through programmes such as family services, budgeting advice, addiction services, counselling and family tracing. The Salvation Army relies on the generous support of the public in order to do so much of our work.’

Garth McKenzie Lieut-Colonel Chief of Staff

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