Attwood Marshall Lawyers Legal Practice Director Jeff Garrett has had the honour of being presented with the Salvation Army’s “Others” Award at The Red Shield Appeal Launch breakfast on the 18th May. The annual award gives special recognition to an individual who has played an important and long-standing role supporting the Salvos and the vital work they do for the community.
Supporting the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army awarded Legal Practice Director Jeff Garrett with the prestigious “Others” Award at its Red Shield Appeal launch breakfast at Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise on Thursday 18th May 2023, in recognition of his longstanding dedication to the community and almost two decades supporting the Salvation Army.
The Others Award is given once a year to an individual or organisation that exemplifies “an extraordinary spirit of service to others.”
Attwood Marshall Lawyers has supported The Salvation Army for over 18 years, by proudly facilitating Community Wills Days across the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Tweed Shire communities.
A Community Wills Day involves Attwood Marshall’s experienced estate planning lawyers donating their time to draft and execute simple Wills for the community, in return for a modest donation that goes directly to The Salvation Army, supporting the vital work they do in helping people in crisis.
The firm organises these events in partnership with The Salvation Army several times a year at our offices at Coolangatta, Robina Town Centre, and Kingscliff. We also host the event at The Salvation Army Temple at Southport, which is usually one of the most sought-after events, selling out extremely fast. This year, we will also be holding a Community Wills Day in Brisbane, following the recent expansion of our Brisbane office located at Level 27 Santos Place, 32 Turbot Street.
These initiatives have become a primary feature in the firm’s events calendar, driven predominately by Jeff’s charitable ethos and his keen wish to give back to organisations that work for the direct benefit of our community. It is the firm’s intent to help people and change their lives for the better, and charities like The Salvation Army do just that.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers participated in its first Wills Day for the Salvos in 2005 at Tweed Heads with Legal practice Director Jeff Garrett and Senior Associate Debbie Sage attending a modest number of people taking advantage of the Wills Day offer. Fast forward to 2023, where several hundred Wills are done by our Wills & Estates team of lawyers, with four or five lawyers attending at each Wills Day. Not only does this raise much needed funds for the Salvos, it also enables many people to have their Wills done by experienced estate planning lawyers at a fraction of the cost of what that would be privately.
The Salvation Army has been helping and supporting people facing tough times for over 150 years. This year’s Red Shield Appeal aims to raise $37 million to help fund over 2,000 services across Australia. We are very proud to be associated with such a respected and long-standing charity.
The Others Award
The Others Award honours an individual’s or organisation’s service to others, and the significance of the word stems from a Christmas message that the founder of the Salvation Army, General William Booth, sent to his officers around the world in 1908. General Booth wanted to be clear and thrifty (it was tough times), and so he settled on a one-word telegram containing the word ‘others.’
During Thursday’s breakfast event, Major Gavin Watts, the Salvation Army’s divisional commander for Queensland, presented the award to Jeff.
On stage, Mr Watts told Jeff: “For 18 years, you have offered your services to help facilitate Community Wills Days and played a role in raising countless vital funds for the Salvation Army to support the work we do.”
“You are passionate about being a community-focussed law firm, and your ongoing dedication to causes such as ours is a testament to that commitment,” Mr Watts said.
“On behalf of thousands of people who have received support because of your contribution, we say a huge thank you.”
The history of the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army’s origins date back to 1865 in East London, England. It was in 1880 that the first Salvation Army meeting took place on Australian soil, from the back of a greengrocer’s cart in Adelaide’s Botanic Park.
That meeting ignited an organisation that has gone on to help hundreds of thousands of Australians each year.
Every donation makes a difference. The Salvation Army states that:
- $5,000 can provide accommodation for three months for a domestic violence survivor, allowing time to heal and recover
- $1,000 can give someone a new start in life by helping them gain a workplace qualification and enter the workforce by paying the tuition fees
- $400 can assist towards a child having a school uniform and school supplies for a year
- $300 can increase safety for a domestic violence survivor by paying for a change of locks, enabling them to remain in their home instead of crisis accommodation
- $150 can provide a new mattress for a woman restarting her life, allowing her to sleep a little easier
- $75 can provide hearty meals for a week for someone experiencing homelessness.
The Red Shield Appeal is the Salvation Army’s signature campaign, raising crucial funds for the Salvation Army’s community and support programs. The national doorknock for donations will take place (physically and digitally) on 20 and 21 May, and the broader appeal runs throughout April to June each year.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers – dedicated to supporting the community
As a community-focused law firm, we are proud of our long relationship with The Salvation Army and look forward to continuing to support the vital work they do in saving lives and helping the community.
Our lawyers are gearing up for the next round of Community Wills Days and are ready to embrace the opportunity to connect with the community and speak to people about how best to preserve their wishes.
If you would like further information on our Community Wills Days, please contact our Wills and Estates Department Manager, Donna Tolley, on direct line 07 5506 8241, email dtolley@attwoodmarshall.com.au or free call 1800 621 071.
