General News
2 May, 2025
Dig deep to support those in need
The Salvation Army in Ararat is encouraging locals to sign up and support this year’s Red Shield Appeal, with funds raised locally to be used to directly assist the most vulnerable within the region.
The Salvation Army in Ararat is encouraging locals to sign up and support this year’s Red Shield Appeal, with funds raised locally to be used to directly assist the most vulnerable within the region.
This year marks the 61st year of the Red Shield Appeal, Australia’s largest and longest-running door-knock appeal.
Nationally, the Salvos are aiming to raise $38 million, and locally they’re asking residents to get involved in any way they can, through collecting, donating, or spreading awareness.
“The money made in the area stays in the area, with funds raised going into programs and projects to help those most at risk,” said Major Jacky Targett.
“The media is well aware of the two biggest issues at the moment and that’s cost of living and mental health. They are the two biggest things we deal with in regard to the Red Shield Appeal,” she said.
Earlier this year, the Salvation Army released its Social Justice Stocktake, which surveyed over 16,000 Australians to identify the most pressing issues faced by communities.
In Victoria, the results showed that 68.5% of people identified housing affordability and homelessness as the number one issue, followed by mental health (60.6%).
Major Targett spoke about the very real challenges being faced by people in the local community, particularly the homeless, those struggling with unemployment, mental health, or caring responsibilities.
“We’ve now got a few homeless, I have met them, and so they’re popping in. You can’t give them a carload of stuff because they have nowhere to go with it.
“We have said to them, if they need a jumper, or a pot or a blanket, come in and you can pick it up. So that’s really helped them out. We don’t see them unless they need something, and they don’t abuse that, they really come in with genuine need,” she said.
The support offered by the Grampians Salvos extends well beyond emergency supplies, assisting people facing a variety of personal circumstances.
“There’s people who are unemployed, whether it’s for health reasons or injuries or because of mental health, or even family burdens, looking after mum and dad or a sibling, caring for kids.”
The local Salvos also collaborate with five local churches to deliver Ararat Emergency Relief, providing a wide safety net to those in need. The Red Shield Appeal plays a vital role in ensuring this work can continue.
“We’ve got the Ararat Emergency Relief with the five churches, so we work with them as well. And of course, our Red Shield Appeal contributes massively towards that,” said Major Targett.
The funds raised also support other initiatives such as Women of Worth and various outings and social supports.
“The more we make in the Red Shield, the more we can support groups like our meals, our Women of Worth, and outings that we sometimes do. They are all supported and funded by our Red Shield Appeal.”
For Major Targett, the appeal is not just about fundraising, but about the broader mission of creating stronger and more compassionate communities.
“Our goals are things like caring for the community, building great communities, and caring for people, because in this day and age we are more separated than ever before.”
The Red Shield Appeal culminates on Red Shield Weekend (May 24–25), but there are plenty of opportunities to get involved throughout the month of May, such as organising workplace, school or sporting club collections or donating directly to the local Salvos.
To get involved or find out more, visit salvationarmy.org.au/red-shield-appeal Or contact Major Jacky Targett directly on 0457 833 435