With a budget increase and a new provincial initiative to help the homeless, this year’s “Red Shield” appeal is as crucial as ever for the local Salvation Army.
“We’re finding this year we’re having to help a lot of people with overnight accommodation and meals, partly because of the Ontario government’s homelessness program,” noted Salvation Army Cpt. Eric Alcock. “We’re really needing extra funds to make up that difference.”
Salvation Army in Fort Frances will be launching their Red Shield Campaign today to kick off May as “Salvation Army Red Shield Month.”
Tonight is the Red Shield “blitz” night with letter appeal requests to go out into the district next week.
Canvassers will be knocking on doors throughout Fort Frances with door-to-door canvassing to continue throughout the first week in May.
The Red Shield appeal is the major annual fundraiser for the Salvation Army, assisting in its work throughout the district all year long.
This year the goal of the appeal is the same as last year–to raise $22,000 across the Rainy River District.
Once again, the Red Shield campaign headquarters will be located at 316 Victoria Ave. The general chairperson for the campaign is Bill Gushulak this year and the campaign director is Cpt. Alcock.
Next week, letters of appeal will be arriving at homes and businesses throughout the district.
The Salvation Army will do a targeted mailing to regular supporters this year to save costs compared to mailing letters to every district household.
Cpt. Eric and Sylvia Alcock are urging everyone contacted to continue their support of the local Salvation Army in order to further the work of helping the needy in our community.
“We’ve increased our budget 15 percent and we’re really counting on people to give extra this year,” said Cpt. Alcock. “Although we’re certainly not complaining about the giving in the area, the people have been very generous.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
