The Salvation Army Port Macquarie branch and The Westport Club partnered up again on Friday 18 May to officially launch the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal for 2018, holding a business breakfast with 125 people in attendance.
Guest speakers at the event included:
Samantha & Laurence Barlow
Samantha was brutally attacked on her way to work by a drug addict. Sam and Laurence admirably shared their life-changing story.
Major Gavin Watts
Major Watts loved living in Port Macquarie when he was the Corps Officer (Church Pastor) here a few years ago. He is now the Manager of Dooralong Transformation Centre which is The Salvation Army’s residential recovery service for those in addiction, where he gets to journey alongside men and women who are going through recovery.
Grant Hume
Grant’s life has turned around completely since participating in The Salvation Army’s Recovery program. He loved spending time at Port Macquarie after graduating from the Program.
The Red Shield Appeal Breakfast in Port Macquarie has been a staple on the community calendar for over a decade – this year marks the 12th anniversary. Local Port Macquarie business professionals coordinate the breakfast and it’s held at The Westport Club. All members of the community are welcome to attend, and 100% of the proceeds from each $50 ticket sale is donated to the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal. To date, The Westport Club’s Red Shield Appeal breakfast in Port Macquarie has raised over $129,000 towards the appeal.
The Westport Club has enjoyed a long relationship with The Salvation Army, and on top of helping host the Red Shield Appeal Breakfast the Club also hosts an annual roadside collection for the Appeal. This year the collection will be held on Sunday 27 May on Buller St, Port Macquarie. Staff members of The Westport Club generously volunteer their time to run the collection and this year will have Tap ‘n’ Go payment available for the first time.