LOCALS are urged to dig deep when volunteers for the Salvation Army come knocking on their door this weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The annual Red Shield Appeal Doorknock helps to raise funds to run the Salvation Army's services.
Captain Tim Gittins, from the Salvation Army's Bonnells Bay Corp, said drug and alcohol rehabilitation was among the most important services that are dependant on Red Shield Appeal money.
He said the ice epidemic was a major problem being dealt with at the Salvos' Dooralong Transformation Centre.
"There are people from our local community who are dealing with that problem, and they need our support," Captain Gittins said.
"Many of the people who are helped by the Salvos with their drug and alcohol rehabilitation are then desperate to help others."
This can take the form of helping others to overcome their addiction or helping the Salvos with their daily work by moving furniture, visiting nursing homes, or cleaning up a yard.
The Salvos' support services for the homeless, and chaplaincy, are also dependent on the Red Shield Appeal.
"Our chaplaincy service in courts and in prisons is there to provide a shoulder to lean on for people who are doing it tough - irrespective of what side of the law they are on, and whether they are a victim or a perpetrator," Captain Gittins said.
"Without the generous support of the public for the Red Shield Appeal, many services that the Salvation Army provides would be in trouble."