Alberton residents rally to bring warmth and hope to those in need
Your unwanted blankets, beanies and scarves can bring warmth and hope to the homeless.
As winter approaches, the Free Chapel Alberton and Blunt Front Hair Studios have partnered to support vulnerable community members.
Their Blanket, Beanie, and Scarf Drive is about compassion, community, and connection.
This project encourages residents to donate new or gently used blankets, beanies, and scarves to help the homeless, unemployed and abused women and children facing the cold with little to no protection.
Drop off donations from Tuesday to Friday until the end of April at Free Chapel Alberton or Blunt Front Hair Studios.
While Free Chapel Alberton has been running a blanket drive for several years, this is the first time they are collaborating with Blunt Front Hair Studios, a partnership both organisations hope will become a long-term one.
For the first time, they added beanies and scarves to the list of needed items, adding extra warmth and care to the project.
The team aims to collect at least 80 of each item, and thanks to a group of generous women in Alberton who are currently knitting and crocheting by hand, they are on their way, but they could always use more helping hands.
They will start to distribute the donated items in early May as part of Free Chapel’s regular Monday evening feeding scheme for the homeless.
The remainder will be donated to Remar South Africa, a home supporting abused women and children.
Sorting is handled by the church’s Sisterhood Bible Book Club, and the community has already responded with overwhelming generosity.
Dorene van Tonder of Free Chapel Alberton shared, “It is humbling to see that people still care for their neighbours and stand together to help the less fortunate. What may seem like a small act could be life-changing for someone else. We are grateful beyond words.”
Organisers have confirmed this will now be an annual outreach, aiming to grow and reach more people.
The donations are vital, but the message behind this drive is more powerful: no one should feel alone or forgotten in the cold.
To contribute or get involved, contact Free Chapel Alberton at 084 983 7251 or Blunt Front Hair Studios on 072 518 0229.
