Nissan owners make back to school fun
The Secunda Nissan Owners group collected stationery and school supplies for foster children who are supported by Tutela Social Services.
SECUNDA – A group of local car enthusiasts made going back to school after the December holidays a little easier on Thursday, 12 Janaury.
The Secunda Nissan Owners group handed over care packages containing stationery and school necessities. to foster children who receive support from Tutela Social Services.
Members of the group arrived at Tutela’s offices on Thursday afternoon and it was difficult to decide whether the children were more excited about the gifts they were about to receive or the impressive cars.
Ms Steffney Rajiah, senior social worker at Tutela, said the children who received these care packages were mostly foster children.
“There is no stigma about being a foster child and all our children understand that, and we try to help out foster families where we can.
“The new school year came with many financial challenges and hidden costs, and we did not want the children to be the odd ones out in class.
“We are grateful towards the Secunda Nissan Owners group for their kindness and involvement with the children.
“We give assistance to nearly 80 children and the children who will benefit from the stationery, are between the ages of 12 and 18 years.”
Mr Dirk Slabbert, a founding member of the group, explained how they became involved: “We wanted to become involved in the community and try to not only get together for the sake of the cars.
“We wanted to figure out how we could serve the community and decided to contact Tutela.
“We initially wanted to plan a Christmas party, but then Steffney explained about the kids’ back-to-school needs and the whole group came together to collect the necessities.”
Armed with school supply lists and motivated to make a difference, the group quickly organised the more than 45 packets of school supplies needed for the year.
“Group members and sponsors came together and made light work of the project.”
The children were overjoyed with their gift packs and also had fun posing at the Nissan cars and chatting with the owners.
The Secunda Nissan Owners group is committed to being involved in the community and if someone is interested in joining the group, they can send an email to the Ridge Times at reporter3@echoridge.co.za.
