With winter already here and time to clinch blankets tighly, Hotel Hope welcomed much-needed winter support on June 6 as Blanket Drive Jozi launched its annual outreach campaign at the Melville-based children’s home.

The donation drive delivered 70 blankets, 70 cases of canned food, and a range of essential supplies to help support vulnerable children during the colder months. “These donations make a very real and immediate difference to the children in our care,” Hotel Hope founder Oliver Quambusch said. “Winter is one of the most challenging times for vulnerable families in Johannesburg, and items like warm blankets, food, and essential supplies directly meet urgent needs.”

Read more: Blanket Drive Jozi warms the hearts of Melville’s Hotel Hope for winter

He added that the support also carries a powerful emotional message for the children. “Knowing that people in the wider community see them, value them, and actively choose to support them is incredibly powerful.”

The donation forms part of a long-standing relationship between Hotel Hope and Blanket Drive Jozi, which has returned annually for the past six years. Quambusch expressed gratitude to Blanket Drive Jozi founder Beven Naidu and the volunteers who continue to support the initiative year after year. “This is far more than just a donation; this is a relationship of care that has become a highlight in the yearly giving calendar for Hotel Hope.”

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Beyond the blankets and food parcels, the visit created a memorable experience for the children. According to Quambusch, the arrival of more than 25 vehicles created excitement throughout the neighbourhood, and quickly became the highlight of the day. He said the children spent the day laughing, waving, and enjoying an experience that many would remember long after the donations had been distributed. “For many of our children, these experiences create lasting memories of joy and belonging. They really feel part of a wider community that sees them, values them, and is willing to show up for them in very tangible ways.”

Naidu said the initiative has grown significantly since it began as a small family and friends project. What started with a target of 50 blankets eventually expanded to 850 blankets in its first year, leading to the formal establishment of the non-profit organisation. Now in its sixth year, Blanket Drive Jozi supports at least seven charitable initiatives as part of its annual winter campaign. For Hotel Hope, however, the value of the initiative is measured not only in blankets and food, but in the sense of warmth, dignity, and belonging it brings to the children who call the home their own.

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