Volunteers honoured across the nation
- May 21
- 2 min read
With National Volunteer Week upon us, The Salvation Army is celebrating the tireless and heartfelt work of the thousands of volunteers who regularly offer their time and expertise across our services. This year also marks the United Nations’ International Volunteer Year, in which the UN hopes to recognise volunteerism as a key driver of sustainable development.
This week, The Salvation Army’s 20,000 volunteers have been celebrated at hundreds of morning teas, luncheons and events that recognised what a huge contribution they make to the mission of the Salvos in Australia.
Volunteers in The Salvation Army serve across many different parts of the mission, from Salvos Stores, Doorways emergency relief, corps-based social initiatives like food banks and community activities, and much more.
In the small town of Helensburgh, situated just south of Sydney, volunteers give their time week after week, to keep the store – which is the heartbeat of The Salvation Army in town – operational.
Local Salvation Army missional activities operate within Salvos Stores Helensburgh, like SAL Connect emergency relief, a free coffee-and-chat morning, a walking group that meets outside the store every week before embarking on a walk and a chat, and a weekly Bible study. Locals know that if they need help, all they have to do is walk into the Salvos Store.
“We have had so many occasions where people will present to the beautiful, caring team of staff and volunteers at Salvos Stores Helensburgh, and feel safe and supported enough to share the hardship they are going through,” said Shire Salvos Helensburgh Mission Leader, Lauren Martin.
“They are then referred to myself, or to one of our other Shire Salvos mission centres, and we can journey alongside them with care and assistance.
“But it all starts at the store.”
To mark National Volunteer Week, volunteers gathered for lunch at Salvos Store Helensburgh. They received a small token of appreciation, and shared stories about how their generosity in giving their time assists The Salvation Army’s bigger mission.
One volunteer, Deb, who is celebrating her fifth year at Salvos Stores Helensburgh, said she needed something to do when her job finished, so she gave the Salvos a go.
“I thought, this is a good place and you’re helping people. I like the people that I work with, and I like doing the displays, that’s a big thing for me.”
Fellow volunteer, Rebecca said she loves the community connection: “Volunteering allows me to interact with the community and help people to achieve little goals as they need help.”
Other volunteers at Salvos Stores Helensburgh have been giving generously of their time for many years. Susan looks after the books, and John is the ‘King of Bric-a-Brac’.
“Every contribution matters,” said The Salvation Army Australia’s Chief Secretary, Colonel John Chamness. “And together, volunteers form the backbone of our mission.”
If you have time and would like to join us on mission, we would love you to volunteer. To find an opportunity to serve your community, click here.
