Lend a hand to help the Sallies’ collection

The Salvation Army is offering people the chance to join it for an hour or more to help end poverty in New Zealand, by calling for collectors for this year’s Red Shield appeal (April 30-May 6), which raises funds to support frontline services.

Historically, the Salvation Army has used volunteers from among its staff and church members, and people it has helped who want to give back, but, after a positive response from the public last year, it is sending out the call again, offering everyone the chance to help out for an hour or more.

Community engagement manager Rhondda Middleton said the Army was extremely grateful to people who gave their time to collect, and the strong backing the appeal received from the public every year.

“Your generous donation of time will give people more chances to give and help the Salvation Army to support more New Zealanders living in poverty,” she said.

To sign up go www.salvationarmy.org.nz

“People just have to fill out a form and be ready and willing to

to help. We will do the rest,” she said.

Volunteering as a collector did not just benefit the Army and its clients.

There were upsides for the collector as well.

“You really get to feel like you’re part of something big and making a difference. And the number of compliments you get for the Salvation Army’s work during your time collecting is just amazing,” she said.

Every year the Salvation Army helps more than 60,000 families who are struggling to make ends meet.

That support was wideranging, including food and practical aid parcels, budgeting advice, social work, counselling, accommodation assistance and more.