The Red Shield Appeal

Date this was actually completed: May 13^th 2013

Each year in May the Salvation Army launches it primary annual fundraising drive- the Red Shield Appeal. The Salvation Army is a Christian denominational church and international charitable organization that strives to bring salvation to the poor. It has a presence in 126 countries, running charity shops, operating shelters for the homeless, and providing disaster relief and humanitarian aid to developing countries. The door knock has been running since 1965 and requires volunteers to go door knocking, collecting donations from the public.

This year I volunteered to go door knocking throughout a few streets in my suburb.  I signed up online and within a week or so was sent a collector’s pack which contained a name badge, receipt book- all the equipment I would need for the door knock.

I set aside the Sunday afternoon/evening to go collect the donations. It took a total of 1 and a half hours to go by all houses in the streets I had been assigned. I collected a total of $800 which I was quite pleased with- I know the money is going to a good cause and will help provide assistance to some people whom really need it. 

It was really quite nice to see people from our street so willingly donate money to the cause. One of our neighbours even donated $70 which was really generous of him. Participating in this doorknock really engaged me in a global issue- the issue of poverty, of poor and underprivileged people. Whilst the salvation army is an international organisation, it is also very local. Just 5 minutes from my house they have a church and a charity store- where all proceeds go directly towards helping the community.

I actually faced a couple of challenges during the doorknock. Handling these challenges I believe helped me to achieve the learning outcome of showing perseverance and commitment.

-          The first was that it was absolutely pouring rain. Now the obvious solution one would think of is to have just gone doorknocking another time, but due to my poor organisation and lack of planning this was not possible as the particular Sunday afternoon I had set aside was the absolute last day to go doorknocking. This taught me that I should probably be better organised and plan ahead

-          The next was that I couldn’t quite carry all of the ‘equipment’ (donation bucket, receipt book, umbrella etc.). So I ended up having to call my sister and to get her to come help me

-          Another unfortunate challenge was a very large, very aggressive dog that chased my sister and I around on and off for the hour or so we were out and about. Thankfully nothing came about it though.

-          Finally, what started off as just a little bit of rain turned into quite a storm. Our umbrella broke in the wind and the two of us got absolutely soaked from head to toe.

 Looking I think I achieved the learning outcomes of perseverance and commitment and engagement in a global issue.