A Generation of Support

By: June Li

The month of May is often known as ‘Red Shield Month’ in The Salvation Army organization. Also known as the Red Shield Appeal, this annual fundraiser helps support the organization’s many life-changing programs and services running year round. For Susan, a long time donor, her support for the Red Shield Appeal stems from her father who was in the Air Force as a Wireless Navigator during World War II.

“My father was a quiet and private man, but he always voiced his appreciation for what The Salvation Army did overseas”, says Susan. Though Susan’s father, Leslie was not involved in many charitable organizations, Susan remembers as a young child that he would canvass the neighbourhood for the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal. “My father was hesitant to volunteer for anything, but he was passionate about The Salvation Army,” says Susan.

The canvassing that Susan refers to is known as The Salvation Army’s ‘Door to Door Blitz’ campaign where volunteers would knock on doors seeking donations. Though ‘Door to Door Blitz’ is no longer in operation, the Red Shield Appeal remains one of The Salvation Army’s major fundraiser.

After Susan’s father passed away, she continued the charitable work that he began with The Salvation Army. Today, Susan has donated to The Salvation Army for nearly a decade. “I am very careful about who I donate to and I have never heard a bad word about The Salvation Army,” she says, “I receive newsletters in the mail from The Salvation Army and I love reading the good work that the organization does.”

Susan’s support doesn’t stop there; she is also a big advocate for The Salvation Army’s Thrift Stores. “I donate furnishings to the local Sally Ann store and I know that whatever I donate will be put into good use,” she explains.

Because of donors like Susan, The Salvation Army was able to assist over 1.9 million people last year in Canada and Bermuda. Moreover, 1 million pounds of reusable goods were diverted from landfills through Salvation Army Thrift Stores and local partnerships!

“Quite often donors don’t think about their own impact,” says Delicia Carvery, Annual Giving Coordinator, “But their support is so important and they contribute to the larger mission of The Salvation Army.”

For information on how you can donate and give hope to those most marginalized and overlooked in our communities, please click here.