Volunteer Beth one of the Salvos' unsung heroes

16 May 2022

Beth recently celebrated 40 years of volunteering with the Salvos.

Beth has volunteered for the Salvos for 40 years, and she has not finished yet! The day she spoke with Salvos Magazine about her service was her ‘day off’, but she was busy sorting donated board games to take into her local Salvos Family Store in Wagga Wagga (NSW) where she volunteers.

Beth’s contact with the Salvos began in the late 1960s, just after her first marriage. Her husband was in the Air Force and posted to Darwin, but Beth couldn’t join him until they had accommodation. He approached the Salvos, who said they could use a little cottage if they fixed it up. Beth’s husband and his ‘mates’ did just that, and the connection went from there.

“We later moved into one of the Salvos flats,” shares Beth. “We were involved with the Salvos youth, went to events and get-togethers, and helped them out on weekends.

“My husband was then posted to Townsville, and I went to the Salvos and got involved with their Home League (women’s outreach group). We also helped with fundraising, street stalls, and fetes for the church building.”

The family, which now included two little girls, moved to Ayr (90km south-east of Townsville) when Beth’s husband left the Air Force.

“I again approached the Salvos and went to Home League,” shares Beth. “We helped set up family stores, which were just beginning then in the late 1970s. I remember one of the young Salvo officers (pastors) would put his pet carpet snake in the back shed at night, which was where we sorted clothes, to deal with a plague of mice we had there!”

Sadly, Beth’s marriage ended, and she returned home to Wagga Wagga with her two daughters and son. “I was upset and went to the Salvos, joined Home League, and again started helping to set up the family stores,” said Beth. “It helped me make friends and get back into the community.” Beth has now remarried and continues to volunteer four days a week, mainly sorting toys.

“The Salvos helped us originally, and it was greatly appreciated,” explains Beth. “I got to know different people, too, in a new place where I didn’t know anyone.

“In the Wagga store, we are all one big family. If you’re looking for friendship, it’s a good place to come. So many organisations wouldn’t exist without volunteers.”

Beth also finds time to serve as secretary for the Wagga Wagga and District Highland Pipe Band and look after her precious grandchildren.