Winter Knights blanket drive brings warmth to homeless communities
The Round Table Pretoria Collective's Winter Knights Blanket Drive united musicians, businesses and residents to collect blankets for Pretoria's homeless communities. Organisers said the campaign highlights the power of community partnerships to provide practical support to vulnerable people.
The Round Table Pretoria Collective has strengthened community efforts to support homeless people in Pretoria this winter following its annual Winter Knights Blanket Drive and fundraising music festival, with organisers aiming to distribute 1 500 blankets during July.
Held at Top Dog Pub and Grill in Moreleta Park, the Winter Knights music festival brought together musicians, businesses and members of the public in support of the annual blanket drive. Admission to the event was a blanket donation, while additional contributions were collected through designated drop-off points and financial donations.
The blanket drive forms part of a nationwide Round Table initiative that has been running for the past 15 years. This year’s Pretoria campaign was supported by GROOTfm 90.5 and its listeners, as well as local businesses and artists who donated their time and services.
Organiser Niel Venter said the event reflected the organisation’s commitment to making a meaningful difference in communities.
“We want to show vulnerable communities that we care, and so we hosted the music festival with artists who generously offered their services free of charge,” Venter said.
He said the Winter Knights campaign has become an established national project.
“This is a nationwide Round Table project, and it has been running across the country for the past 15 years,” he said.
Venter said the partnership with GROOTfm 90.5 and its listeners helped strengthen the campaign and increase community participation.
The campaign’s goal is to distribute 1 500 blankets to homeless communities in Pretoria during July.
Venter said support came not only from festival-goers but also from businesses unable to attend, who contributed financially.
“There were also businesses that could not attend the music festival, but donated money so that we could buy blankets. We would also like to thank Crazy Stores for selling blankets at the festival, making it easier for everyone to support the campaign,” he said.
Singer Mia Vogel said she was proud to be involved in the initiative.
“Musicians love people, and this is our way to show it. I am so happy to be part of a day like this,” Vogel said.
The organisers thanked everyone who donated blankets, made financial contributions or volunteered their time to the campaign.
They said the combined efforts of community members, businesses, sponsors and performers will help provide warmth to homeless and vulnerable people during the cold winter months.
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