Thanks to the Salvos team for sharing their story.
During their school holidays, friends Addi, Lacy, Keira and Heidi found out about the work of their local Salvation Army and decided they wanted to help. During Anzac Day week, the four baked and sold Anzac cookies, and helped their parents at a Salvos Soup Stall.
Lacy Carroll heard about the work of the local 2508 Salvos mission in town from her mum, who works for Equilibrium Healthcare in Helensburgh.
Earlier this year, Equilibrium Healthcare partnered with 2508 Salvos by generously offering Mission Leader Lauren Martin and Community Caseworker Niasha Love the use of a consulting room when needed, at the centre.
“This has been wonderful,” Lauren said. “We don’t have an office space in Helensburgh and we can’t afford to rent one. Partnering with Equilibrium Healthcare has allowed us to meet community members in a confidential, professional space, to talk about what is going on in their lives and how The Salvation Army, or other referral agencies, might be able to assist.”
It has also paved the way for doctors and other health professionals at Equilibrium Healthcare to encourage people in need to make an appointment with The Salvation Army. The result has been that several patients are now receiving assistance and support from the Salvos.
Equilibrium Healthcare nurse Jackie Carroll could see how the Salvos were bringing hope in the local community and became passionate about assisting through fundraising. She suggested to her daughter, Lacy, that they hold an Anzac biscuit stall in front of the centre during the week of Anzac Day.
It was a huge hit!
Lacy involved two friends, Addi Forbes and Heidi Brassett-Xavier, and said she had lots of fun using the EFTPOS machine and wanted to be part of helping people in need, like people who are experiencing homelessness.
On Anzac Day, another friend, Keira Quayle, joined them and their parents for a Soup Stall after the Dawn Service at Charles Harper Park.
“It was really fun, and I liked to see what people liked to eat what we had on the soup table,” Addi said, adding that she felt it was important to assist The Salvation Army, “because they help the homeless.”
Keira said it was wonderful to “sell all the nice soups to people and to get all the money to donate to the poor”.
Lauren said: “This amazing group of friends, and their parents, raised just over $1000 for our local Red Shield Appeal, which is incredible because everything we do here is funded through donations and fundraisers.”
If you or your business would like to partner with the Salvos, or to find out more about what The Salvation Army does in the 2508 area, contact Mission Leader Lauren Martin via lauren.martin@salvationarmy.
