Mogorosi Foundation’s recent Christmas party at the Joseph Gerard Home for the Aged reaffirmed the foundation’s belief that Christmas is all about giving and being with loved ones.

Beyond donating food items meant to last until their next contribution next year, the foundation gave all the elderly residents slippers and hosted a lekker braai to set them up for a very merry festive season.

Read more: Mogorosi Foundation brings smiles to the elderly through a Christmas party

The home’s manager, Thandiwe Makhubela, said the elderly had been counting down the days to the celebration, knowing their steadfast supporter, the Mogorosi Foundation, which consistently shows up for them, would host their annual Christmas party.

For most residents, whose families and relatives have seemingly stopped caring about them, such a party is a lifeline. According to Makhubela, it is one of the few moments when their focus shifts from feelings of neglect to feeling seen, loved and cared for.

“This touches my heart, especially seeing the elderly very happy and dancing. Something like this does not happen every day; it happens once a year and through Mogorosi. No one else does this for them,” Makhubela said.

Also read: Mogorosi Foundation continues its mission of care at Joseph Gerald Old Age Home

“We appreciate what the foundation is doing because there are people whose families no longer care about them, they don’t even come.”

Mogorosi Foundation’s support is not only felt by residents but also by nurses, who Makhubela said have become the only hope for the elderly. While caretakers worry about many things, the foundation’s support at least saves them the trouble of worrying about where the elders’ next meal will come from.

Makhubela added that while the home makes it a priority to care for the elderly at a reasonable charge, affordability often leaves them in dire need of significant support and donors. At the moment, they do not have enough donors or assistance, which makes their appreciation for the foundation even greater.

For the organisation, giving and taking care of the elderly in this way is all about goodwill, according to the foundation’s Lebogang Mogorosi. “We feel that, as the Mogorosi family, we are very blessed, and we feel that we need to give back to the community. We also like to take part in charity events.”

Having witnessed just how much such homes need support, Mogorosi said giving back has become an obligation, not merely a choice.

He also urged other organisations and community members to support such homes. The foundation will return next year before the Easter holiday to donate food parcels as part of their quarterly tradition.

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