Meeting 28 March 2018

That was the question that Major Reno Elms of the Unley Salvation Army put to us at our Rotary meeting. He observed that after many years in the job that however affluent a suburb is there are always people in need of help in some way. In an interesting and entertaining way Reno took us through a brief history of the Unley Salvos and brought us up to date on what they are currently doing.

The Salvos established their presence in Unley in 1888 by opening a hall on Marion Street. Over the years that hall has grown, more land has been acquired and the present centre is still in the same location.

Reno went on to describe some of the recent initiatives they have undertaken to provide help to the many people who need hope and help in their lives. The creation of the Coffee 2 Connect Cafe was one such idea that has proved to be very successful over the past 10 years or so. The cafe is open every Monday at the centre and people come in for morning coffee and cake and this is followed by a home cooked lunch served by volunteers. All food and produce is donated by local companies and the Cafe is seen as an opportunity for the Salvos to reach out to the community and help build the skills of local people. Another important activity is the provision each year of a Christmas lunch for 140 guests and staffed by 60 volunteers. Each guest receives a Christmas gift as well as a Christmas lunch and has the opportunity to socialise in the spirit of Christmas.

Reno was very appreciative of the support that he receives from local service clubs and in particular he thanked us for the support that Hyde Park Rotary Club has given them in the past. He presented Acting President Andrew Sullivan a Partner Appreciation certificate for our donation which helped in the completion of an Access Toilet Block at the centre. Reno also presented as a symbolic gesture a gift wrapped toilet roll to a somewhat surprised and bewildered Acting President Andrew! Nonetheless the show went on and Andrew presented Reno with a cheque for $500 which Reno has pledged to put towards the cost of extending their Coffee 2 Community Cafe.

Finally Reno concluded a highly entertaining evening by thanking all those who help in the annual Red Shield Appeal which brings hope to the lives of so many people.