Roosevelt Park’s Christmas cheer keeps giving through Gem Homes’ annual community fundraiser
Residents, volunteers and supporters came together to raise funds for Gem Homes while helping improve the facility and support pensioners in need.
Christmas came early at Gem Homes as residents, volunteers and supporters gathered for the home’s annual Christmas in July fundraiser, raising money to improve facilities while helping residents who need additional financial support.
Held twice a year, the event encourages residents to run their own stalls while members of the public donate clothing, household items and other goods to raise funds for the retirement home.
Read more: Fairland Cottesloe Run Walk Crawl fundraiser draws local community support for MOTH Cottesloe Homes
Gem Homes manager Clive Salgado said every rand generated from the fundraiser is reinvested into improving the facility and supporting residents who struggle to cover the cost of their care. “We use the funds for projects around the home, such as renovating our hall and upgrading our office facilities. We also use the money to supplement the income of residents whose grants are simply not enough to cover their fees,” said Salgado
He explained that while many of the stalls are organised by volunteers and supporters, some residents also operate their own tables, allowing them to earn spending money independently.
Salgado said the Christmas in July fundraiser has become a longstanding tradition, taking place every July and again before the festive season in December. Beyond raising funds, the initiative also gives donated clothing a second life. Items in good condition are sorted and sold through the home’s clothing stall, with proceeds returning directly to Gem Homes. Clothing that cannot be sold is donated to communities in need.
Also read: Camp Delta is abuzz as The Local Market hosts fundraiser for CPF
“Nothing goes to waste. The clothing we can’t sell is distributed to townships where it can still benefit people who need it most. It becomes a way of helping beyond the walls of Gem Homes,” he said.
For Salgado, the fundraiser is about more than balancing the books—it is about creating opportunities for residents while ensuring acts of kindness continue reaching others.
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates!
