Salvos, Woolies kick off appeal
THE Salvation Army and supermarket giant Woolworths have launched a joint emergency appeal to help the Townsville community, with Salvos releasing $1 million to the frontline immediately and a lead donation of $250,000 from Woolies
People across Australia will be able to donate funds online or in person, in a bid to raise money for those left stricken by the floods.
Salvos Queensland spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Godkin said the Salvation Army was now moving into the recovery phase after providing three meals a day to about 800 evacuees at four evacuation centres at the height of the crisis.
“Money raised from the appeal will go toward assisting people to rebuild their life and get back to their feet,” he said.
“This money will go toward providing financial assistance, counselling, case management and … personalised support. The Salvation Army is committed to standing beside communities for the long haul.”
Communities Minister and Mundingburra MP Coralee O’rourke said the relief fund would help Townsville get through the crisis.
“People of Townsville have experienced over the last 12 days a devastating flood that we have never ever seen before,” she said. “As North Queenslanders, one thing we do well from a disaster is we pull together and we recover.
“We’re going to have a rough road ahead of us going forward and this is a recovery that is going take months, if not years.”
Herbert MP Cathy O’toole said it was important at this time to also remember those affected on Magnetic Island and Palm Island. “We are a strong proud community and my congratulations go to the Salvation Army who are e doing an extraordinary job b in supporting the disaster er support and then into the recovery phase,” she said.
“We will get through this, because we are strong resilient people, but it will be tough and let’s look after each other.”
Support Through Australian Natural Disasters (STAND) ambassador and former AFL superstar Adam Goodes thanked volunteers throughout Townsville for helping their crisis stricken neighbours. Two community recovery hubs have been set up, one at the corner of Stanley and Walker streets, and another at the Townsville Stadium in Annandale.
Two more are being set up with locations to be released soon. Individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine how much relief funding they will receive from the Salvos and Woolies appeal.