Salvation Army's regional relations manager Karen Walker said the Salvation Army was already utlising funds raised in response to the bushfire crisis and that response would come in three phases.

"We are in our first phase of feeding and handing out support to the first responders at the evacuation centres," Mrs Walker said.

"Our next phase will be an initial assessment and provision of emergency financial support to people.

"And our third phase will be about recovery where we will again provide more financial support but do it in a more thorough assessment of an individual or family's needs.

READ MORE: What you can do to help amid bushfire crisis

"With that we want to maintain people's dignity and ensure funds we give out can be spent locally to support small business and commence the rebuilding of the community."

The Salvation Army said it was overwhelmed by the response to the Illawarra Mercury and Illawarra Hawks fundraiser for the charity's bushfire disaster appeal on Saturday night.

Mrs Walker said the public response at the NBL game between the Hawks and Melbourne United was "pretty exceptional".

It was confirmed on Monday over $9000 in donations alone were given to the Salvos bucket collectors at the game. The final tally is expected to be in excess of $40,000 with online donations to be tallied and added in coming days.

"Outside of the Red Shield Appeal I have never seen so much money come in via a bucket collection," Mrs Walker said.

"It's just amazing. Over $40,000 for one day's effort."

Mrs Walker said the response showed the concern prevalent in the community and added some patrons at the game had asked about counselling services.

She stressed the best way to help those impacted by the bushfires currently was via monetary donations.

There were a number of significant personal donations made to the appeal on Saturday night already publicised but another special one was made on Monday.

The first ever Hawks coach Joe Farriugia, who has had to evacuate his property on the South Coast, made a personal donation of $1000 to the appeal.

Club support and sponsor Kevin Boughton also paid $1000 at a pre-game auction for a signed pair of shoes worn by Hawks' local star Angus Glover.

This was on top of another donation he'd ,made via his business, There and Back Shuttles.

Illawarra Hawks star American guard LaMelo Ball also pledged ahead of the game to donate one month of his NBL salary to bushfire aid.