Defence honoured by Salvation Army

The Department of Defence has been officially recognised for its long standing support to The Salvation Army at the launch in Canberra today of the annual Red Shield Appeal.

The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, accepted the 2011 Red Shield Award for Outstanding Organisation on behalf of the Australian Defence Organisation.

The Award was presented by The Salvation Army’s Secretary for Programs Eastern Australian Territory, Lt Col Miriam Gluyas.

Lt Col Gluyas said Defence’s support for The Salvation Army in the ACT comes from all levels of Defence, from cadets that doorknock at the weekend to the Chief of the Defence Force and Secretary who encourage enlisted personnel and employees to contribute to the annual appeal.

The Salvation Army’s Captain Dale Murray, Communications and Public Relations Secretary for the Division, said the funds raised through the support of Defence and the goodwill this helps build in our community has been invaluable.

The national target for this year’s Red Shield Appeal is $79 million which includes funds raised in business appeals, direct mail campaigns and the door knock.

The target in the ACT and South NSW is $2.8 million, of which $520,000 is expected to be raised on the doorknock weekend on 28 and 29 May.