Girl keeps the homeless warm in winter
Boksburg’s Melyssa Fernandes is on a mission to keep the poor and needy warm this winter, through her blanket drive initiative.
The 23-year-old has partnered with Casa Do Campo restaurant, in an effort to raise funds to buy and deliver blankets to Boksburg’s less fortunate.
Since the inception of the initiative, Melyssa has purchased and delivered 40 blankets to many homeless people in and around Boksburg.
“I do believe in helping charities, but I feel that there are many people who are often neglected by the government and the community because they do not belong to a certain organisation,” she said.
“I have, therefore, made it my personal duty to help those who are overlooked.”.
The young Boksburg resident felt that there was no better way to give back to the community during this cold winter than to donate blankets to those in need.
“We are often quick to turn our heads when approached in our cars by needy people, as we are never sure how the money will be used,” Melyssa says.
“I am fortunate enough to have been given the platform to begin this charity initiative by the owners of Casa Do Campo restaurant, as it is a respected establishment in the area.”
She explains how kind and generous the patrons have been to her and how she would now like to get more people in the community to contribute to the initiative.
“I knew that if the patrons were aware of the difference they could make by donating money to buy even just one blanket then they would open their hearts to the whole concept,” Melyssa explains.
“With the help of my mother, I was able to seek out the best deals and buy 40 new blankets.”
Melyssa recently set out to the streets to distribute the blankets.
“We found dilapidated buildings and houses around Paul Smit Street, where we gave a blanket to one old man, who instantly gave it to his child.
“A whole bunch of kids came running out and greeted us with smiles and excitement.”
Melyssa adds that her most memorable moment of donating blankets to the poor involved a man who told her how he appreciated the blanket.
“With the one tooth in his mouth, he gave me the biggest smile and shouted: ‘God bless you and have a lovely day’,” she says.
then that I truly felt like I, together with the patrons of Casa Do Campo, had made a huge difference in the life of others.”
Casa Do Campo has also sponsored three prizes that can be won by anyone who donates R100 towards this initiative.
Melyssa invites all Boksburg residents to donate to the cause and help to keep someone warm this winter.
Anyone interested in making a donation may contact Melyssa by e-mail on melyssa.fernandes@gmail.com,or drop off the donation at Casa Do Campo restaurant,on Rondebult Road.
