Bushfire Appeal: $1.2 million raised for bushfire affected residents
22 October 2013
The Salvation Army would like to thank Australians who have donated to our Bushfire Appeal for their generosity, with $1.2 million dollars raised so far which will be spent to help residents and communities in bushfire affected areas recover.
“We have already released $500,000 in immediate disaster assistance,” says Salvation Army spokesperson Major Darrell Slater, “and our officers and personnel will be on hand in the weeks and months ahead to work alongside these hurting communities for the long-haul.”
As well as preparing for the event of increased bushfire activity in the coming days, The Salvation Army is planning its long term response, which will involve a range of measures including the allocation of crisis assistance, trauma counsellors, financial counsellors, legal and other support services.
“We want to wrap a range of services around these hurting residents,” says Major Slater. “And we couldn’t do it without the generosity of so many Australians giving to our Bushfire Appeal. It is amazing how time and time again, Australians pull together during times of great devastation.”
Salvation Army staff and volunteers continue to operate in fire affected areas, providing meals to residents who have evacuated their homes and to fire fighters and other emergency services personnel.
“We have Salvation Army Emergency Service crews operating in Lithgow, Bilpin, North Richmond Evacuation Centre,” says Major Slater. “Other crews in the Blue Mountains and in western Sydney are on stand-by.”
The Salvation Army has expressed disappointment at reports that there have been people going door to door in some Sydney suburbs purporting to be from The Salvation Army and raising money for the Bushfire Appeal.
“We want to remind the Australian public that the best way to donate to the Bushfire Appeal is by calling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) or going to our website, salvos.org.au,” says Major Slater. “You can also donate at any Woolworths store, Westpac Branch or Target outlet. Please remember that Woolworths are matching public donations dollar for dollar.”