JOBURG: Tanya Dimas and Karen Landi run a non-profit charity organisation called The Collection Hub, which is essentially a charity resource. They market and run initiatives, provide storage space and redistribute items based on a needs specific basis to charities, facilities and families in desperate need.
“We started The Collection Hub in a bid to collect unneeded, unused items and to redistribute them. Our first drive was 67 Minutes for Mandela Day where we encouraged people to spend 67 Minutes tidying their cupboards, homes, office spaces and to donate all unneeded items to The Collection Hub. This was
massively successful. We were able to make up food parcels and distribute these to a cross section of people and assist facilities and families with clothing.
We have continued to receive an influx of donations of toys, books, food and clothing and we have managed to sustain our donations to many different
charities in many different areas,” said Karen and Tanya.
Presently they are getting their next drive up and running, If you aren’t going to take it forward – Pay it Forward. It is aimed at children and parents of school going children.
“We are encouraging children and parents to pay forward all school items and especially school shoes that they don’t plan to take forward to the new school
year. Our aim is to reach 5 000 underprivileged learners with school shoes and basic school items. We will also appreciate school stationery, school bags, text
books, kit bags, white school shirts, grey pants and shorts as well as socks. There is such a desperate need among learners in underprivileged communities.
“We already have a wish list for Lerato School in Jackson’s Squatter Camp, Eikenhof as well as two schools in Ennerdale and one in Eldorado Park.
“Let’s see if we can assist 5 000 underprivileged school children so that they can start the 2014 school year with a pair of school shoes, a pencil case and a school bag, we believe that if we all put in a little effort we will achieve this,” say Karen and Tanya.
“Schools in the South who are interested in adopting this idea can contact Tanya (082 851 1773) or Karen (082 905 7441).
