De Freitas Foundation’s Christmas in July a jolly success

De Freitas Foundation (DFF) hosted its annual Christmas in July fund-raiser on July 27 at Pizza Del Forno in Park Meadows.

This was the fifth year that the fund-raiser was held.

The fund-raiser was attended by 150 women, who also donated care packs.

“The donated toiletries will be distributed to the underprivileged who need these items the most. There are many people who need assistance and through this fund-raising we make our little contribution,” said DFF founder and board member Manny de Freitas.

De Freitas said the foundation has three projects which focus on advocating and educating the public about alternative cancer solutions, assisting those most marginalised and forgotten in society, particularly within the Portuguese community, and providing Portuguese lessons led by a qualified teacher.

He said they were able to reach their target in past years with the help of the community.

“Thanks to the generosity of the public we have been able to reach our target over the years and be able to help those in need. Last year our main goal was to feed at least 100 families for a month. We achieved this by raising enough for 100 hampers,” said de Freitas.

He said people are facing hard times and can’t even afford the basics.

“Poverty is rife and is sometimes found in places one least suspects. As the foundation we want to help where we can and we hope to continue to support those in need,” said de Freitas.

Over the past year, the foundation worked and assisted the Portuguese churches in Mayfair and Benoni, and it continues to support an orphanage in Boksburg and a women’s place of refuge in Judith’s Paarl as well as the Luso Africa seniors daycare centre and the St Vincent de Paul organisation.

“Through this fund-raiser we have helped many and we are happy that this fund-raiser has become popular and has become a great awareness activity for the foundation and its activities,” said de Freitas.