As June turns to July and as the temperature dips below zero degrees, the need for support for some of the community’s most vulnerable citizens is at an all-time high.
The annual Red Shield Appeal organised by the Salvation Army is one way that the community comes together to support those residents, and this year Kyabram has turned up once again.
The 2024 Red Shield Appeal concluded successfully on Sunday, June 30, with the Kyabram branch seeing another year of success.
Kyabram Salvation Army, located on Unitt St, brought in just under $6000 across the month long fundraiser, a feat that Captain Jacky Targett was more than impressed with.
Cpt Targett said that the funds will completely cover this year's Christmas Cheer program, which gives families in need the chance to share in some of the festive spirit by receiving a gift or necessities completely funded by the Salvos.
“All of our Christmas funding is covered, and I actually have a big chunk of money for next year to support school students with school uniforms and school stuff,” Cpt Targett said.
She also mentioned having extra funding for future projects, including support for school students and housing crises.
“I also can use that extra money to support those in housing crisis, so I’ll be able to support people with furniture, so I’m really pleased with what we raised,” she said.
The team at Salvation Army Kyabram fundraised for this year’s Appeal by collecting donations at the gates of football games and at the doors of Woolworths.
However, Cpt Targett noted that most funds were raised by generous Kyabram community members who dropped off donations at the branch.
“About a third of [donations] has come in through people literally walking in off the street and saying: ‘Here’s some funds for the Red Shield,’” Cpt Targett said.
“I actually have one generous donor who donated a third of the total.”
Although the appeal has officially concluded, the Salvation Army still needs year-round support from donations to help vulnerable citizens, especially as the nights grow colder.
You can still help out the Kyabram Salvation Army by donating goods or money at the thrift store on Bradley St, or online at Donate Online | The Salvation Army Australia
Visitors day at the Salvation Army Kyabram branch
Kyabram Salvos is now looking to the future, more specifically to a Visitor's Day which will open the doors for people to take a peek into the work that the Salvos do for the community and their ties to spirituality.
On Sunday, July 7, the Kyabram branch on Unitt St will open to the community to share the history of the Salvation Army and the difference made over its 146-year history.
Cpt Targett said it is a chance to reintroduce the Salvos back into the community, and remind everyone that it is an organisation with roots in Christianity.
“We are inviting our community to come and see what we do and why we do it, hear testimony of what faith means to them, and how lives can be changed by having values and beliefs, hope and a helping hand,” Cpt Targett said.
The meeting will begin at 10.30am in the morning, followed by a soup and sandwich lunch.
There will be an appearance from the Rushworth and District Concert band, and all attendees will walk away with a gift.