Christmas – the time of giving

On any normal day, there are thousands of children and adults who go without due to unforeseen circumstances and no fault of their own. They go without food, clothing, blankets and toys.

There are, however, some very special people in the community who give generously of their time and spare no expense in seeing to it that what they give assists ‘Those less fortunate than ourselves’ as the Rotary slogan goes.

Stephen Margo, a district governor representative in Rotary, organises both a blanket and toy drive each year.

“We collect in the region of 15 000 blankets and around 1 200 toys which we distribute to a number of charities,” said Margo.

“This year was a little different, in that we (Rotary) were introduced to RSS Security, based in Fourways, who in turn introduced us to a number of their clients. One in particular being Decofurn, a furniture store also based in Fourways,” he added.

While busy with their toy drive, they received a call from Decofurn regional manager for Gauteng Cornell Mans, who informed he was not able to donate toys, but would gladly donate some 65 blankets if the Rotary found a charity that could use them.

Margo then contacted Chris Thomson, the Rotary youth officer and member of the Randburg Rotary Club, who in turn contacted the Linden-based Firlands Children’s Home. The home is one of many run by Major Eddie and Hazel de Vos of The Salvation Army, and cares for 60 children. It is also one of many charities supported by Rotary.

Brett Fisher, CEO of RSS Security said that he was happy to assist with the project in any way he could and encouraged a number of his clients to participate. “We are a community-based security company who care about our community,” he said.

Mans said by giving, he gets a new perspective on life through seeing and meeting people, in particular children who are worse off and struggling to survive.

“Most children have the same basic needs he continues, we have so much and they have so little. Every small gift given to them is highly appreciated. Christmas is a time of giving and we at Decofurn like to give back to the community in different ways,” he said.

“We know that these children don’t ask for much and by giving each one a blanket we know that they will sleep warm. It is not much to give but it comes from the heart,” Mans added.

Margo said, “Anyone wishing to donate toys, blankets or items of clothing can contact Stephen Margo on 076 030 2342 or can drop off the items at the offices of RSS Security, Block 4 Prism Office Park, Ruby Close, Fourways (next to Fourways Mall) and we will see to it that all contributions are given to the less-fortunate.”