Edenvale Care Center Hospice calls on locals for Christmas nappy drive
“We are in the process of doing another application for funding with the department,”
With the festive season fast approaching, Edenvale Care Centre Hospice has appealed to community members for assistance with its Christmas nappy drive.
Launched in mid-November, the nappy drive calls on community members to donate adult nappies, of varying sizes, to the care centre.
The manager of the centre, Marlene Hooper, explained that nappies are one of the care centre’s biggest expenses.
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On average, an order of nappies can cost the centre between R19 000 and R20 000 and lasts between eight and nine weeks.
“At times we can easily go through eight nappies per patient per day,” said Marlene.
The centre has a 13-bed ward and if full, it can go through 104 nappies a day.
“It’s a huge expense,” explained Marlene.
Besides its nappy drive, the care centre is also hosting a raffle competition.
An initiative started several weeks ago the centre challenged community members and businesses to donate funds or items to it.
Starting on November 1 and ending on December 1 community members stand a chance of winning a self-care hamper by donating funds or essential items to the centre.
Marlene said the centre is in desperate need of assistance and every little bit helps.
Marlene said the names of all donors will be put into a raffle, while the competition is running.
She said, during the first week of December a winner’s name will be selected from the donors.
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Donors are requested to use their name and contact number as a reference.
Food items the centre needs include mealie meal, long-life milk, margarine, cooking oil, tinned mixed vegetables, tinned tomato and onion mix, rice, chicken or beef soup powder, tea and coffee, Mabela or porridge, fresh vegetables, stewing beef, mince and chicken.
Some essential items they need include Vaseline, Dettol toilet spray, toilet paper, disinfectant hand soap, refuse bags, large freezer bags, medium-size adult nappies (Softi brand), linen savers and gloves.
Marlene said the last day community members can donate nappies to the centre is December 21.
Founded in 2002, with a 13-bed ward, the NPO cares for a variety of patients ranging from the terminally ill to cancer and HIV/Aids patients.
Explaining the centre’s current predicament, Marlene said it relies solely on the community to keep its doors open.
“The community has been great. However, we desperately need funding,” said Marlene.
She explained that the centre has not been registered with or received funds from the Department of Health since April.
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“We are in the process of doing another application for funding with the department,” said Marlene.
She explained that earlier this year the centre had its application for funding denied after the department determined that documentation for the application was denied.
Marlene said while registered with the Department of Health, the centre would receive approximately R63 000 over 12 months.
“Although it wasn’t an immense amount the departmental funding really assisted the centre,” explained Marlene.
Banking details for the care centre are as follows:
Bank name – First National Bank Greenstone.
Account holder – Edenvale Care Centre.
Branch code – 201510.
Account type – current.
Account Number – 62122086821.
For more information or ways to assist visit the centre’s website.
