Don’t know what to do for Mandela Day?
Here's a few ideas from the founder of a women and children's home.
The News has received a few queries from readers asking how they can contribute to those in need on Mandela Day.
Melodie van Brakel, the founder of the Cradle of Hope in Krugersdorp West said it’s time to get out there and do some good for the world.
“Many South Africans might have mixed feelings about this day, but we need to remember there are homeless, hopeless and hungry adults and children out there every day, not just on Mandela Day,” said Melodie.
“67 minutes might be enough time to do your own grocery shopping but is it really enough time to make a lasting difference?”
She gave the following suggestions on how you could help on this special day of giving:
• Put together stationery packs (pens, stickers, coloured paper, scissors, colouring pencils etc.) for children
• Make “care kits” (including a comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, face cloth, etc.) for adults and children
• When shopping, buy extra female hygiene products and drop off packs, with a personalised message in each, to abused and vulnerable women at The Cradle Of Hope
• Sign up to our Volunteer WhatsApp groups, and stay in touch with how you can become involved at The Cradle Of Hope
• Get a team involved and make peanut butter and jam sandwiches for 67 minutes, at your house or your offices and drop them off at our House of Restoration, in support of its Community Feeding Scheme. Or you could make cheese and tomato sandwiches, which would be a great treat. You can also get involved with handing out the sandwiches, and share a cup of coffee with someone in need
• Bake cookies or muffins for the Community Feeding Scheme
• Organise a collection of canned foods for Feeding Scheme’s food cupboard, which could also include other non-perishable foods such as long-life milk, rice, mealie meal, cooking oil and so forth
• Buy a supermarket voucher for R67, R670 or R6 700 and donate this to the House Of Restoration.
• Donate R67,or R670 or R6 700 to The Cradle Of Hope, and get your friends to do the same. Banking details are available on the website at www.thecradleofhope.org
• It’s the coldest time of the year – collect blankets and drop them off at The Cradle Of Hope
• Hold your own garage/ jumble sale for our charity
• Host a dinner for the Cradle’s women and children at the House Of Restoration
• Collect and donate soft toys, books and magazines for children and adults
• Sign up for a My School card at Woolworths and donate to The Cradle Of Hope every time you purchase something
• Go through your house and donate some of your pre-loved good quality items to the Pop-up Charity Shop
• Ask your children to go through their toys and pick out the toys they don’t need any longer
• Donate anything that you no longer want or need, (clothes, shoes, books, linen, household items, etc.), so take a look what is lying around or in your cupboards and drop it off at the House Of Restoration. The organisation can also collect in the West Rand Area.
• You all have those “glam” dresses hanging in your wardrobe that you know you will never wear again. You can donate these to us for our Cinderella Project to give to less fortunate girls for their matric dances, weddings, etc
• Arrange a collection of socks for men, women and children. Socks are very much needed and hardly ever donated.
For more information, contact Melodie on 011 660 4623.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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