Century 21 Synergy is doing a charity gift drive in the Dulwich Hill community leading up to Christmas, The Salvation Army is the beneficiary of this gift drive activity. Today we take five minutes to learn more about Peter Sutcliffe - Communications & Public Relations Secretary of The Salvation Army and how they are bringing the christmas spirit back to the #InnerWest community.
1)What is your role at Salvation Army and how long have you been at this role or working with Salvation army?I have been a Salvation Army officer since 1994, and have served in Mt Isa in North West Queensland, Cairns in Far North Queensland, Rockhampton, Brisbane and I have been in Sydney since 2010. My current role within The Salvation Army is Communications & Public Relations Secretary for the Sydney East & Illawarra Division stretching form the Norther Beaches in Sydney down to #Kiama in the Illawarra and west to #Chatswood , #Strathfield, #Bankstown and Menai
2)Why do you do what you at Salvation Army?
Salvation Army officer first and foremost are ordained ministers of religion, I do what I do because I have a calling from God to serve him in this way and because the love of Christ compels me.
3)For those of us that are not familiar, what usually happens around November every year at #SalvationArmy ?
What are your teams at Salvation Army normally busy with? please explain about kids and family in need and how and why they come to salvation army during end of the year/Christmas. Families have all sorts of reasons why they come seeking assistance but the main one is that the struggling with the costs of living to provide either #gifts for their family or ensure that they can celebrate the #Christmas season with some Festive fare. For many families January is also a very difficult period for them as those with school age children prepare to send them back to school.
4) What kind of services do Salvation Army offer these less fortunate families and kids during this time of year?
The main type of support is with gifts and food.
5)Where is the main contact point for families living in the Inner West?
The Salvation Army Community Welfare Centre at 10 Charles Street, Petersham. This centre is normally open on Mondays and Wednesday afternoons from 11.30am to 2.30pm but additional hours will operate especially during November and early December for those seeking assistance with Christmas gifts. People can make an appointment by phoning 9564 2696 between 9am and 12 noon on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Suburbs covered by The Salvation Army #Community #Welfare Centre at #Petersham include, #Annandale , #Camperdown , #DulwichHill , #Enmore , #Erskineville , #Haberfield , #Leichhardt, #Lewisham , #Lilyfield , #Marrickville, #Newtown , #Petersham , #St Peters #Stanmore , #Summer Hill, #Sydenham, #Tempe, #Undercliffe .
6)Do many volunteers contact you to show support ? In what capacity can volunteers contribute and participate to help Salvation Army during this time?
At The Salvation Army Petersham #Community #Welfare Centre we have a number of people who show support by offering to volunteer. Volunteers are required to help sort through the gifts donations to ensure that they are appropriate and place in various age brackets, check donations of food to ensure that the use by date has not expired and pack into hampers.
7)Century21 Synergy is doing a charity gift drive in the Dulwich Hill community leading up to Christmas, The Salvation Army is the beneficiary of this gift drive activity. What do you do with the gifts once you pick it up from Century 21 Synergy and the Dulwich Hill Community?
They will be checked to ensure that they are appropriate, second hand gifts will be passed onto The Salvation Army #Family Store in Dulwich Hill or Salvos Stores at St Peters where they will be sold and proceeds form the sale will go to support the work of #TheSalvationArmy. At #Christmas we aim to ensure that every gift given out to someone in need is a new gift thus ensuring the dignity of the recipient.
8) How do you decide who to give these gifts to? Means test? Please elaborate on the process? Each person/family requiring assistance will need to make an appointment to see us, they will be required to bring along proof of identity and income.
Thank you for your support and for this interview.
9)How can volunteers contribute and #volunteer during the rest of the year?
There are many volunteering opportunities within The Salvation Army and people can contact our centres at Petersham 9564 2696 and Dulwich Hill Family Store 9518 1756 or Tempe (St Peters) Salvos Stores 9516 5089 about the opportunities available. On the last weekend of May each year is The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal Doorknock and we are always looking for volunteers who can help us either doorknock or supervise collectors. For more details on this opportunity go to http://salvos.org.au/get-involved/volunteering/red-shield-doorknock.php#Form
10) How do you normally celebrate the year end #holidays?
Once we have completed helping those in need, attending Christmas Day church service at The Salvation Army a bit of time is spent with family who are around.
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| Peter Sutcliffe , Salvation Army, Communications & Public Relations Secretary |
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