67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day brings warmth ahead of winter
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, who recently gave blankets to the retired Dominican sisters at St Mary’s Retirement Village, has been keeping communities warm for 12 years.
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day filled St Mary’s Retirement Village with colour and warmth on May 26, while handing out blankets ahead of winter.
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The Dominican sisters, who filled the room and were recipients of the blankets, wore wide smiles, showing appreciation to the 67 blankets team.
The general manager, Celeste Bosman, was thankful for the gesture. “It is a privilege to be a part of what happened today and seeing the love and appreciation on the sisters’ faces.”
Sister Eva Maria Gysma said she was grateful for her colourful blanket that would keep her warm during winter. “I love mine particularly because it has bright colours.”
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day founder Carolyn Steyn highlighted her excitement for running the non-profit organisation (NPO) for 12 years. “We have been knitting and crocheting for 12 years. Today we are visiting St Mary’s Retirement Village. This is a home for retired Dominican sisters, which was meaningful for me because my mom grew up in a catholic orphanage at Nasrec House in Yeoville, and she often told me about how she was brought up.”
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Steyn added that meeting the people at the village home today gave her an idea of the type of people that helped raised her mom. “It was lovely because there was a connection from that conversation. I also met a senior citizen who has made a blanket in the past for 67 blankets.”
The NPO then moved to Parktown North, to GodFirst Church, where soup and bread was given out to displaced community members. “67 blankets came on board today and offered blankets to the people we help to keep them warm. We’ve managed to give everyone a scarf, a blanket, and toiletries,” said volunteer Dianne Webb.
Webb is part of a non-governmental organisation, Cross the divide, assisting displaced and unemployed people. Cross the Divide offers hot meals, fruit, and bread to those in need every Tuesday.
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