Centurion scout invites others to knit for a cause
Tayler Vermeulen, a Grade 12 student at Sutherland High School, is on a mission to make a difference in her community with a project in collaboration with Grannies Who Care.

Making a difference is never easy, but Tayler Vermeulen from 37th Springvale Scouts in Wierda Park hopes to inspire her community to knit for a cause.
On Saturday, January 27, Vermeulen gathered anyone and everyone to join a knitting project in support of Grannies Who Care.
The 18-year-old Sutherland High School student told Rekord she was inspired by her teachers, hoping to become a foundation phase teacher herself.
She said that her time in scouts showed her that a small bit of help in your community goes a long way.
“Scouts is my home away from home and I look forward to Friday evenings,” she said.
“I only realised after I had joined Scouts how valuable the life skills being taught there are, and of course camping and hiking are part of the fun too!
“Whether you are helping with a community garden or requesting food donations, it is all for the betterment of our people.”
Vermeulen’s connection with Grannies Who Care (GWC) came from the organisation’s work providing support to mothers and newborns in less fortunate positions.
GWC offers care packages containing essential items like baby beanies, blankets, clothes, and, when possible, toiletries.
Even those mothers who have experienced stillbirth receive these thoughtful packages.
“My sister had heard about GWC at work and told me about them, and seeing that I wanted to be a teacher one day, these [scouts] could be the very children I teach one day,” Vermeulen explained.
She said that Caron Liebenberg, chairperson of GWC, was extremely supportive and helped in promoting Vermeulen’s community service project.
The first event went as planned, and Vermeulen hoped it would continue to grow over the next three events coming up.
“We had a few scouts that came to learn how to crochet starting on their baby hats. All our parents were there too,” she said.
“We unpacked our wool and needles and got to work.”
While they worked, outgoing district commissioner Neil Marshal, and councillor Cindy Billson spoke to attendees, offering encouragement and advice on making a difference in their community.
Vermeulen hoped that more would join in the initiative and invited everyone in the community to join, even if only for a cup of tea.
A generous donation of wool from a Sutherland High School parent kick-started the initiative, and Vermeulen encouraged residents to contribute by either knitting, crocheting, or donating unscented toiletries.
“Even unscented toiletries such as bum or aqueous cream, baby shampoo and the like can be donated,” she said.
Drop-offs can be made at the 37th Springvale Scout Hall on Springbok Street, Wierda Park, every Friday between 17:30 and 21:30.
Residents are invited to join the project on February 10, March 2 and 9 from 10:00 to 13:00.
Said Vermeulen: “Knitting, crocheting and sewing is not just for chicks and grannies!”
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