Red Shield Appeal generates more than funds

5 hours ago
3 min read

Captain Tarsha Laundon, Lieutenant Vikki Song and Captain Lesley Newton collecting at a Bunnings on Sydney’s northern beaches.

BY LAUREN MARTIN

The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal Weekend has concluded for another year, and those on the frontline are telling stories of meaningful connections with members of the public.

“There is always someone that comes up and tells us a story of how the Salvos has helped them or someone they know, I love it!” One volunteer said, after their collecting shift on the weekend.

Another collector, long-term volunteer and soldier Don Archer, came across a woman whose husband had passed away that morning. She approached him as he was collecting and asked him to pray for her. He did so immediately.

“He also spoke with a man who told him he became a Christian as a result of The Salvation Army ministry whilst in prison,” said Don’s wife, Jean. “What a sacred trust we have wearing our Army uniform.”

Captain Lesley Newton, a chaplain at Elizabeth Jenkins Place Aged Care Centre, collected at various locations on Sydney’s northern beaches. She said she had had “lots of conversations over the last week”, with many people telling her how much they loved The Salvation Army. She said some thanked her that The Salvation Army still took singular donations.

Whether wearing an officer’s or soldier’s uniform or a volunteer bib, The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal is always about more than collecting. NSW/ACT Divisional Commander Major Robyn Black spent her collection hours in prayer for meaningful interactions.

NSW/ACT Divisional Commander Major Robyn Black shares a smile with passers-by as she collects in western Sydney.

“To be honest, it’s never about the money. I love the idea that by smiling and saying hello to people, I might bring joy, and often people stop to talk about life,” she said.

Captain Pete Brookshaw, from Waverley Corps in Melbourne, said the Red Shield Appeal weekend was busy but fruitful.

“My 15-year-old son Elijah collected at a shopping centre with his sister. An older lady gave them a pack of lollies to thank them for collecting. Then Elijah saw a man [who appeared to be experiencing homelessness] sitting out the front of the shops. He proceeded to give him the lollies, invite him to church and even laid his hand on his shoulder and prayed for him.”

Elijah Brookshaw, who collected with his sister in Melbourne, took the opportunity to pray with a man.

Sydney soldier Brooke Sellars has been collecting for the Red Shield Appeal every year since she was a baby. She reflected this year that now her children have been collecting for the appeal every year since they were babies.

“I think it’s important to show them that by sacrificing just a couple of hours of our time, we can make such a difference in somebody’s life,” she said. “Whether that difference comes from the money we raise collecting, or whether it is just by having a conversation with somebody who is walking past our bucket who is struggling with the heaviness of life. Showing kindness and being selfless can honestly change somebody’s life, no matter how old or young you are.”

Sydney Salvationist Brooke Sellars has been Red Shield Appeal collecting since she was a baby, and has been collecting with her children since they were babies.

South of Sydney, a collector in northern Wollongong was able to refer a man to The Salvation Army’s Positive Lifestyle Program: “I don’t know if he will follow through with it, but we had a long conversation and I listened as he explained the relationship issues he was having with family members. He felt heard and valued.”

And they’re the connections that matter.

The Bible promises us that “God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). So, if we can trust in the Lord to resource his mission in this world, we can simply enjoy the relational connections that fundraising during the Red Shield Appeal brings our way.

Thank you Jesus!