Box Hill multicultural charity show puts Red Shield Appeal in spotlight
BY LERISSE SMITH
Delicious homemade dumplings helped champion the cause of this year’s Red Shield Appeal at a unique multicultural charity show held at Melbourne’s Box Hill Salvos.
The culinary delights were part of this year’s Melbourne Spring Arts Multicultural Seniors’ Association Charity Show, which featured a colourful fusion of dance, singing and music to raise $4500 for the appeal.
And the event was a great success.
“We like food, we like performance, we like photos!” said Leanne Wong, Relationship Manager Multicultural Community of The Salvation Army.
“It was a very happy event and appealed to the multicultural community. We had a full house and a wonderful community spirit. Everyone worked together. The whole idea was for the community from different cultures, different age groups, to join together and respond and help people in need. To also celebrate different cultures through music and dance and to work as one.”
A variety of multicultural organisations joined forces to showcase their talents, including the Melbourne Spring Arts Multicultural Seniors’ Association, The Salvation Army Richmond, Melbourne Abundant Outreach, Bach Viet Dance, Peranakan Melbourne Association, Sabah Cultural Association, Sanggar Tari Lantik Indonesian Dance and Moonlight Music Centre.
Topping off the day was delicious homemade pork, beef and vegetable dumplings made by Richmond Corps Officer Ellen Farrell. They proved to be a hit amongst the attendees, raising $400 for the appeal.
Age proved no barrier to swinging the hips, playing a musical instrument or singing a tune at the show. The young and those in their twilight years, including community members in their 90s, participated in the event.
A key priority for the organisers, including Leanne Wong and Thomas Ng, Springs Arts Vice President, was to showcase a community effort event and help the multicultural community understand the purpose of the Red Shield Appeal and the work of The Salvation Army.
“Our event was not about asking just money from people,” Leanne reflected.
“It was also to educate the community about charity. Many multicultural people are newcomers here, so they will not really know what The Salvation Army is doing and who we are. We want to spread the good work of The Salvation Army. Most people, especially from Asia, think Australia is a welfare country … some may not understand that many people are still struggling here. And that’s why this kind of event (the charity show) was an impactful platform to tell the message. There are people struggling, they need help – and it was important to help people understand and show their support.”
Click through the slideshow below to view more photos of the event:
