RESULTS for the 2008 Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal have shown strong local support on the Eyre Peninsula with over $15,000 donated to the cause.
While a final amount is yet to be determined, a new style of campaign has proven successful with one of the highest interim totals collected in recent years.
Port Lincoln Salvation Army captain Scott Norman said the results were overwhelming, particularly with the economic difficulty currently being experienced by many people.
“It was a concern that with such hardship on the land it would be a struggle to provide services for people,” Mr Norman said.
“We understood why it may have been a low total, but 2008/2009 looks good for us to (be able to) support people. It was an amazing effort by all of my area captains.”
“We are very, very happy with the result.”
With several new area captains on the Eyre Peninsula, fresh enthusiasm and ideas for raising money resulted in a substantial increase in donations in many areas.
This year the Appeal took a new approach to raising money, with each area using different styles of fundraising such as cake stalls or collecting at supermarkets, instead of customary doorknocking, which is not always practical in country areas.
Elliston set a record this year with renowned volunteer Margaret McBeath raising over $1600 from her regular collection point outside the Elliston Bakery.
Ms McBeath received many donations from travellers who stopped in at Elliston after hearing about her on the radio.
The Red Shield Appeal also received support from businesses such as Westpac Bank, who donated their services to count the money raised.
Money raised by the Appeal is used to assist people in need through the Port Lincoln Salvation Army Community Service Centre, providing food vouchers, clothing, furniture, advice and ongoing support.
Working throughout the Eyre Peninsula, the centre also offers practical services such as budgeting advice and access to the Telstra support scheme which is in place to ensure communication is maintained within families who may be experiencing difficult circumstances.
“It’s proactive rather than a bandaid approach,” Mr Norman said.
“We want to help remove dependency.”