IF you have free time on your hands and are looking for charity work to get involved in, wrapping up Christmas gifts at a busy mall could be just the thing for you.

Every year, the Reach for a Dream foundation partners with shopping malls in Durban, providing a gift-wrapping service carried out by volunteers. The donations which shoppers pay for the service goes to the foundation which helps dreams come true for children living with life-threatening illnesses.

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Kerry Donkin, regional manager for the organisation, says gift-wrapping is well under way at Gateway Theatre of Shopping, however more volunteers are needed as the busier part of the season approaches.

“Volunteers are needed to give us a few hours of their time to wrap Christmas gifts. The more the merrier as we divide each volunteer’s time into shifts so it all depends on how much time you have available. These projects help the foundation put smiles on the faces of children with life-threatening illnesses,” she said.

The other two malls are The Pavilion and Ballito Junction.

Another way to contribute to Reach for a Dream is to add R5 to your total every time you shop at Toys R Us.

“Each R5 contribution also goes towards making these children’s dreams come true. It gives them hope and the smiles on their faces are so heartwarming. Last year’s campaign at Gateway raised over R400 000,” added Donkin.

The service runs until December 24 at all malls. The duration is from 9:00 to 22:00 with each volunteer taking on a three-hour shift.

“We would really like volunteers to contact us and assist where they can. Students who want to complete their community service hours can use this as an opportunity. Corporates can also use it as a CSI initiative. There is no set amount required so shoppers can donate whatever they can afford. Every bit helps and goes towards making dreams come true,” said Donkin.

“Reach for a Dream is the spark that starts the dream journey, however, we never know where that journey ends. It is a joy to be a part of these children’s journey, to be the catalyst of hope,” she added.

To volunteer, call 031 566 2220 or email kerry@reachforadream.org.za.

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