In the lead-up to Anzac Day, volunteers are staffing tables outside businesses in Shepparton and Mooroopna, selling badges, wristbands, bag tags and keyrings to raise money for services for veterans and their families.
Shepparton RSL Sub-Branch appeals manager Bruce Davis said 100 per cent of the money raised went to help veterans and their families.
Half the money raised in Shepparton remains in Shepparton, while the other half is sent to the Victorian RSL to use for any bigger projects.
Mr Davis, a veteran himself, said the reason behind the Anzac Appeal was to honour those who came back from serving in the Australian Defence Force wounded, and those who did not return.
He said the money raised from the appeal went to providing financial help to veterans and their families, as well as things like emergency accommodation, taxis for long-distance doctors or hospital appointments, and small maintenance on houses.
“We virtually help any veteran or service member in financial difficulties,” Mr Davis said.
“We do this because of their sacrifices to serve the nation, and we owe it to them – to the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice and those who came back incapacitated.”
Mr Davis and his wife Sandy have run the Shepparton Anzac Appeal and Poppy Appeal – held in the lead-up to Remembrance Day in November – for the past 11 years.
Last year, the two appeals raised $100,000 locally.
The Davis’s also have a team of volunteers who help sell badges and other merchandise for the appeals.
“We have a crew that come in just about every year for the two campaigns,” Mr Davis said.
“We’re extremely grateful to our volunteers. We couldn’t do it without them.”
The badges and other merchandise available this year range in price from $2 to $50, and Mr Davis encouraged anyone who passed the stands set up outside Shepparton and Mooroopna businesses to make a donation, or just to even go and talk to the volunteers.
Badge sales for the Anzac Appeal are taking place outside the following businesses.
Shepparton: Woolworths in Archer St, Shepparton Marketplace, Aldi, Fairleys IGA, Apco service station, Riverside Plaza, and Bunnings.
Mooroopna: Woolworths.
Some businesses and schools also have counter top displays.
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