Community joins hands to spoil Marloth’s elderly for Christmas
After finding out about the many resident senior citizens living on a pittance, community members worked together to spoil them with a Christmas lunch on December 12.
MARLOTH PARK – The Tin Shack Restaurant was packed with about 90 jolly seniors on December 12, all dressed up for a special Christmas lunch. The executive mayor of the Nkomazi Local Municipality, Johan Mkhatshwa, also attended the event.
Cindy Benson of the Marloth Park Ratepayers Association (MPRA) said she was shocked to hear about the plight of several of the town’s seniors, some of whom reportedly resort to eating dog food just to survive.
She decided that a Christmas lunch would be a great occasion to get all of the seniors together and several community members volunteered to help make it special.
Sharon and Dalwyn MacDonald of Marlothi Shopping Centre offered to host the event at the Tin Shack Restaurant and provide guests with a delicious meal. Staff worked hard to ensure the food was scrumptious and served with a smile.
With the help of sponsors, Benson and her volunteers compiled hampers with toiletries, non-perishable foods, cookies, rusks and sweets for the guests.
Cameron McLellan, a Swift EMS paramedic affiliated with Field Security, tested the seniors’ blood sugar and pressure, while singer Candy Benson provided some musical entertainment.
READ: Fun and games raise thousands for Marloth CPF and fire response
The seniors also enjoyed meeting and chatting with the municipality executive mayor, Cllr Johan Mkhatshwa. Mkhatshwa thanked the elderly people for their contributions to society and reassured them that he is aware of them and the issues in the town. He also told the organisers that he’d like to contribute to next year’s function.
Several community members and organisations aim to assist the elderly in Marloth Park throughout the year.
The MacDonalds hosted several lunches for them at the Tin Shack last year and hope to continue to do so in 2019. The Guardian Angels Malalane comprise volunteers who help elderly people in Malalane, Hectorspruit and Marloth Park and organise monthly social events.
READ: Seniors hou sommer al vroeg Kersfees saam met Guardian Angels
There are also a few elderly who are members of Argentum Corona and attend their bi-weekly social gatherings. Helpende Hand Onderberg also supports local elderly and needy through various projects.
The organisations welcome any volunteers or sponsors who would like to get involved with their activities to contact them.
