Flood boss thanks the Salvos
IT'S one thing to rebuild a road or a building, but it's another to rebuild someone's life.
THE head of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority praised the Salvation Army's support for the community after the 2010/11 floods as he helped launch the Red Shield Appeal in Bundaberg.
Major General Dick Wilson, who was the guest speaker at the launch event at the RSL yesterday, said the Salvos filled the gap of what the reconstruction authority could not do - heal people's suffering.
"Over the course of my military career, when things were at their worst, the Salvation Army was always there with a cup of tea and time to listen," he said.
Maj-Gen Wilson said with the amount of infrastructure needing to be repaired, it was easy to focus on that side of recovery.
"It's one thing to rebuild a road or a building, but it's another to rebuild someone's life," he said.
"That's where the Salvation Army comes in."
While yesterday's corporate lunch was an opportunity for the business fraternity to kick in with some cash, the rest of the community will have its opportunity later this month when the white-shirted army hits the streets for the annual doorknock.
Bundaberg Salvation Army Major Kevin Unicomb said the Bundaberg branch aimed to raise about $32,000 this year through the door knock.
Maj Unicomb expected the appeal to raise a little less than last year's $35,000, when the work of the Salvos was fresh in people's minds after the Christmas floods, during which they helped to feed, clothe and house hundreds of people.
But he said the region's flood work was far from over.
"We have opened a Money Care service to help with financial planning," he said.
"They are having a lot of work with people who are still being affected by the floods."
Maj Unicomb said tough times had kept many of those services busy.
The Salvation Army will have about 300 doorknockers out in force on May 19-20 in most parts of Bundaberg and Bargara.
