Centurion nominated its heroes for July
All you have to do is fill in the form, nominate a community hero and they could stand a chance to win the title as well as R1 000.
West Pack Lifestyle and Centurion Rekord want to honour those who stand out, who give without expecting anything in return and who put the needs of others before their own.
Whether it is the man who selflessly helps highlight the plight of residents or the woman who works behind the scenes to ensure a local school runs smoothly – we want to help you thank them and tell their stories!
This week, Rekord spoke to some of the heroes who had been nominated thus far, namely Irma Genis, Lauren du Plessis and Amanda Lombard.
Irma Genis (47) is from Eldoraigne and said she is “very soft-hearted with a love for animals because some of them had already been hurt so many times before”.
Cat Utopia Rescue Centre is a shelter for rescued cats which Irma started in June last year, she said, “although I have been caring for animals all my life”.
She said those who assist her, were God-sent.
“We created a kind of retirement centre for feral cats, we used recycled items to build it, because nobody wants the feral cats as they are wild,” Irma said.
She said they bottle-feed the kittens and find them good homes in co-operation with Cat Network, “which does house inspections for us”.
“We also have stray cats sterilised. We never ask others to support us financially, we only always request anyone who wishes to assist, to donate food for the cats.”
Lauren du Plessis (50) is from Valhalla and started assisting a few neighbours last year at the beginning of lockdown who had lost their jobs.
“I was soon helping more people out of my pantry than I could afford to and asked around to see if anyone else could help.
“Several people in my community made donations and we were soon feeding eight families every week.”
Lauren said a local pastor then contacted her and they decided to combine their efforts.
They have been assisting 35 to 40 families since then, and two months ago registered as an NPO, namely Valhalla Community Empowerment (VCE), which she manages.
“At present, VCE is my passion,” said Lauren, who also faces more challenges than most.
“Having Asperger’s syndrome means I have some challenges, but it has never stopped me from helping others.”
She said the soup kitchen is being run from her home. And the organisation also assist with other essentials such as spiritual and emotional support, and assisting people with job applications.”
“The Dorkas group, a group of ladies that knit and sew clothing items, also joined our effort. We also plan to open a charity shop soon.
“I started my first charity when I was 18 and ran a support group for pregnant teens and young mothers until I was 30. I had my daughter at 17.”
Lauren said she then volunteered at an orphanage “for ages and my second husband and I ended up fostering two little girls, that sadly were re-homed when my husband passed away”.
“Sometimes I don’t know where support would come from, but somehow we always manage to get something together.”
Amanda Lombard (56) from Lyttelton has a heart for frail care patients and patients with Dementia. She had been a nurse since she was 18, including a matron for 16 years.
She started her own business around 15 years ago where she had been taking care of frail patients at their homes.
“Four years ago I opened two frail care homes, and another home is opening soon.
“It is important to me that the atmosphere remains homey. Especially for patients with Dementia, it must look like home and not like a hospital or an institution.”
Amanda said they cook for patients, play games with them, and operate WhatsApp groups with their family members.
She said she believes an elderly person must stay in his or her own home for as long as possible, but we all know there comes a time in one’s life that one needs assistance.
“I care about facilitating the elderly in these circumstances,” she said.
Each month, West Pack Lifestyle and Centurion Rekord will make a nomination form available online.
ENTER HERE: https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/371753/calling-all-heroes-in-centurion/
All you have to do is fill in the form, nominate a community hero and they could stand a chance to win the title as well as R1 000 West Pack Lifestyle gift voucher!
Your community hero will also be featured in an article in the Centurion Rekord, both online and in the newspaper, so that they can share their story with the whole of Pretoria.
Nominations will be taken into consideration by the Rekord team and a winner will be selected monthly.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
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