Michael Kimelleman’s life has been profoundly influenced by service, from volunteering with charities to supporting single parent, advocating for workers’ rights and donating blood and platelets.

Now 88, his journey of giving began in 1965 after he got married, when he started donating blood soon becoming one of South Africa’s most committed blood and platelets donors.he started donating blood.

According to Kimelleman, platelets donations was foreign back then and when they became possible, he volunteered to donate. He said the long three hour donation process was evidence enough that he was determined.

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“I was the first person to give 250 donations in South Africa, and they asked me if I was prepared to do a Chinese documentary because they were starting to give platelets in China,” he said.

His donation journey continued until 2015, when his veins started drying up and could no longer support the process.

“At that time, I’d given 320 donations.”

Kimelleman’s commitment to serving others went beyond blood donations.

After his divorce in 1979, he joined a single parent support group, where he dedicated almost two decades welcoming new members at their weekly gatherings. During that time, he also organised tennis activities during winter.

At 63 he got retrenched and Kimelleman just knew that it was time for him to find another opportunity to serve.

He spent 16 years packing and delivering meals through Yad Aharon and an additional 24 years volunteering with the Union of Jewish Women, helping provide kosher Meals on Wheels to those in need.
His desire to better people’s lives also played a role in the workplace to the workplace. While working in the printing industry, Kimelleman rallied to make employee benefits accessible to workers of all races.

“There were four of us that decided that the union was only for white people, it took four years, and the printing industry was open to all, blacks, whites, coloureds, and everybody got pensions.”

Despite a lifetime of achievements, Kimelleman believes the greatest reward comes from putting a smile on someone else’s face.

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“The advice I give to young people is, if you’re not busy in your life, instead of sitting and doing nothing, open your heart to give to others.”

He urged youngsters to start being active within their communities
“If you come across people who need help, be there to help others. Don’t be just for yourself.”

Looking back on the life he has lived and continues to live, he remains rooted in giving, noting that kindness costs little, but can make a lasting difference.

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