Help locals help the needy
“Help us to provide the gift of warmth this winter,” are the words of Melissa Naidoo, who is among nine others who want to provide blankets for the underprivileged and homeless.
Naidoo, together with Shaun Haripersad, Kenneth Pillay, Calvin Naidoo, Clayton Reddy, Juliene Moodley, Shanice Ramnath, Lemanz Wilson and Darren and Merlene Perumal are ordinary community members between the ages of 22 and 29 who want to make a difference by giving back to the community on Saturday (June 4).
READ: Warming up the needy before winter
“We will be donating blankets to people in areas such as Northmead, Benoni CBD and Actonville,” Naidoo said.
“Anyone and everyone can give back in a way that suits them, whether through money, time or donation of blankets.
“As winter is approaching, we have seen the urgent need for items such as blankets and therefore decided to do a blanket drive.”
The members, who call themselves “Bad Company”, conduct feeding schemes on a monthly basis in Johannesburg, but this is the first time they are conducting a blanket drive.
“During our previous feeding scheme we opted to serve a hot breakfast to homeless people, we started serving at 5.30am,” Naidoo said.
“This is when we realised the need for blankets for these individuals who are sleeping on the sidewalks.”
So far, the crew has collected 90 blankets and with the help of the Benoni community, they hope to distribute 200 blankets on the day.
Anyone who is interested in giving a donation of any kind, may contact Melissa Naidoo on 082 523 6225 or email to melissanaidoo@ymail.com.
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