Red Shield Appeal 2018 Launch Breakfast and Fundraiser

30 April 2018

Port Macquarie Business Community gets behind the Salvos Red Shield Appeal

On 18 May, the business community of Port Macquarie will do their bit to get behind The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal for 2018 by holding a business breakfast hosted by The Westport Club.

The primary goal of the breakfast is to raise funds for The Salvos who play this vital role in our community offering HOPE where it’s needed most.

Whether it is providing shelter, blankets and food to the homeless, giving victims of domestic violence the support to change their situation, delivering programs to help individuals suffering mental illness or addiction, offering welfare care to families that are struggling to make ends meet, or being on the front line when natural disaster strikes, The Salvation Army makes a difference in someone’s life EVERY 31 SECONDS!  Their long and established history makes them one of the most trusted welfare organisations in our society.

For the past 10 years, the breakfast to launch our local Salvation Army Annual Red Shield Appeal has raised in excess of $100,000.  Jenny Edmunds, Chair of the business committee that organises the event on behalf of The Salvation Army said, “Our aim this year is to raise $20,000 from the breakfast to start the local Appeal.  We know that Port Macquarie has a dynamic and vibrant business community that lends its support for worthwhile causes and the Red Shield Appeal Breakfast is one of the staple events that is well received.”

This year the guest speakers for the breakfast will talk about their experiences in overcoming adversity caused by addiction from drugs and alcohol.

Samantha Barlow joined the NSW Police Force 1994 and was on her way to work on the morning of Wednesday 13 May 2009 when she was brutally attacked by a heroin addict and left for dead.  Samantha and her husband, Laurence (also a police officer) will admirably share their story of Sam’s near fatal attack and how this malicious act changed their lives.

Major Gavin Watts is the Manager of The Salvation Army’s Dooralong Transformation Centre, an addiction and recovery support centre.  Major Gavin will support a local community member, Adam Taylor, who will courageously share his experiences as a recovering alcoholic whose life was changed by The Salvation Army.

“The Salvation Army is so very grateful for the continual support we receive from Port Macquarie’s business community to help us launch our biggest annual fundraiser in the Red Shield Appeal,” says Major Kevin Unicomb of the local Salvation Army. “Not only does it help with much needed funds at the commencement of our Appeal, but it also helps to raise awareness of the services we provide and what we do in the community.”

“The Salvation Army has been helping Australians since 1880.  The highest percentage of people seeking support from The Dooralong Transformation Centre come from the mid north coast region so whilst not all programs can be delivered here in Port Macquarie, our community is utilising services that are funded by money received from the Red Shield Appeal from this region” says Major Unicomb.

“The Westport Club very generously sponsors the breakfast ensuring that 100% of the $50 per person ticket to attend the breakfast goes directly to The Red Shield Appeal,” says Major Unicomb.

To reserve your seat for the Red Shield Appeal business breakfast, please contact Debbie Cooper at The Salvation Army on 6583 7444 or debbie.cooper@aue.salvationarmy.org.