Gold Coast City’s business community was out in force this morning to bring hope to the less fortunate residents of the local community. The Salvation Army breakfast, sponsored by Jones Lang Lasalle and hosted by Hickey Lawyers, is held annually at Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise and is the opening event to the Red Shield Appeal. In it’s 15th year, this year’s event looks set to break all records, with the level of donations pledged by the business community exceeding last year’s total before breakfast was even served.
Attendees at the breakfast heard a moving testimonial from a recipient of Salvation Amy services, who has now become an officer herself. Aleasha Yaxley told a harrowing tale of how a downward spiral into self destruction, fuelled by tragic events in her childhood, cost her everything important in her life, including custody of her daughter. She credits her triumph over unimaginable adversity and reclaiming custody of her daughter, in part to the unfaltering support and assistance of The Salvation Army Gold Coast team.
The Salvation Army are this year celebrating 150 years of service and to honour of the role they shared in the ANZAC story of Gallipoli, Major General Andrew James Molan, a retired Australian Army Senior Officer and published author, also addressed the event, paying tribute to the organisation’s heroic efforts and non-judgemental philosophies.
Services offered by The Salvation Army embrace the needs of the most vulnerable in our community and offer comfort and care for those struggling with social isolation, disadvantage, mental and emotional health issues, loneliness, poverty and homelessness. The Salvtion Army also make a huge difference internationally, most recently in response to the Nepalese state of emergency, assembling an extensive onsite crew to assist survivors just one day after the natural disaster occurred.
An Australian contacts The Salvation Army for assistance, on average, once every 31 seconds. There is a fine line between success and disaster in life and a few wrong turns can take someone down a very harrowing path. There are many ways in which the Gold Coast City community can contribute to the current Red Shield Appeal by hosting fundraising events or donating directly.
Contributions to the appeal add up to make a huge difference in the lives of those less fortunate, for example:
$150 can assist a disadvantage young person with one week’s rent
$300 can ensure a child has a school uniform and school supplies for one year
$700 can assist a disadvantaged young person to purchase furniture and appliances
$1,000 can fund two years of vocational courses and increase the employability of a disadvantaged young person
$3,000 can fund a personal development program for thirty disadvantaged and socially isolated people
$5,000 provides six months of food and crisis housing for a homeless person
$11,000 can fund an after school program for a disadvantaged community for one year
$15,000 can provide a fully equipped emergency trailer that supports victims of disaster in times of crisis
$30,000 can fund the placement of one person in a 46 week program to recover from addiction
Why not host a trivia night, golf day or fundraising dinner to assist The Salvation Army with their tireless efforts to ensure no member of the Gold Coast City community ever has to walk alone.
Make a donation to The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal here.
