A life given to others

DOT van Eeden, a resident of Glenvista and a retiring member of the Lions Club Johannesburg South, shared her story with the Comaro CHRONICLE.

Dot, who is very involved in the community, helps many members who are going through hard times and is passionate beyond belief. She said she never thought when she was a young girl she’d grow up to be so involved.

“I didn’t have a childhood. Mine was fraught with domestic violence, homelessness and a drug taking stepfather who preyed on vulnerable young girls. When I was 12 years old I went into the Johannesburg Children’s Home where I lived until I was 16.

“I opted to enter the corporate world where I stayed until I retired, although my dream was to become a maternity nurse, but I was not prepared to swop one institution for another, where I would have had to have lived in the nursing college,” she said.

Dot had a brother, six years younger and she was devastated when he was tragically killed in a car accident in 1999.

“In 1992 I read an advert in the local newspaper looking for volunteers to join the Lions Club of Joburg South and I felt this was the opportunity to help those in need in my community. After all, I could relate to those experiencing domestic abuse, child abuse, homelessness, hunger, drug and alcohol abuse. I had experienced it all during my lifetime and so a new chapter opened up for me.

“I have been involved in some wonderful projects with the Lions Club over the years, including helping The Lighthouse Stimulation Centre for Mentally Challenged in Linmeyer, which was started by Luiza Nazareth.

“I remember being contacted by Belgian resident Willy Boghe, who found my name on the internet through the Lions club Stint-Truiden in Belgium. He was embarking on a whirlwind tour of four continents, which included Africa, and also visited Johannesburg. He wanted to make a monetary contribution in memory of his grandson who was born with Down’s Syndrome. This was difficult as the time would be over a weekend when most organisations were closed. Undeterred, I contacted The Down’s Syndrome Association who gladly obliged and opened up their premises, accommodating us. I was his host for the duration of his stay and he donated a large sum of money to the Down’s Syndrome Association.

Helping the elderly

“On a routine visit to Karina Place for elderly residents in South Hills, I learned of their plight of a shared toilet that moved when they sat on it thus creating a safety hazard, especially at night and in the dark, and also they did not have hot water to wash for nearly two years.

“Their pleas were ignored by all and I immediately contacted my plumber Brian from Brian Kessel Plumbers who went out and repaired the toilet at no charge and then I asked my electrician from FC Mulder Electricians for help.

“He spent two weeks replacing faulty equipment that was damaged and although his labour was not charged for, the costs of replacing the faulty equipment was quite high even at cost price. Thankfully, my friend and longterm resident of the South assisted financially, which was much appreciated.

“Another memorable project I was actively involved in was the Toy Run for four years. It took months of negotiations, together with other Lions Clubs, to the run-up on the actual day.

“The bikers are such formidable-looking people but they each have a heart of gold and are always looking for ways to help those less fortunate. They give so freely to the underprivileged children.

Record Christmas cake sales

“I am also known as the Cake Lady, a fund-raising project I took on with great enthusiasm in selling the delicious Lions Christmas cakes year after year. My record was 160 cases, 1 920 cakes in one year. In celebration of the Lions centenary, we sold the Lions cakes iced and decorated by the Wits South branch of the South African Decorators Guild at the Glen Shopping Centre together with the Christmas gift wrapping fund-raiser during December last year.

“The funds generated by these two projects contributed to various worthwhile projects within the community of the South. We are most grateful to centre management of the Glen, Dean Myburgh and Carla Juta, for giving us the opportunity,” Dot added.

Dot is also involved in a car boot sale which is run with the Lions Club from premises in La Rochelle/Regents Park.

“I returned from a visit to my daughter in England where I observed the weekly car boot sales and saw the need to have a similar fund-raising project in the South. This was a first! I had great difficulty explaining the concept to my fellow Lions and the public that you park your car and sell your goods from the boot. We have been having the car boot sale for going on eight years and it has proved very successful.”

Twenty-six years comes to a close

“This June 2018 brings 26 rewarding and sometimes challenging years to a close. I have encountered some difficult times, met many memorable people and done amazing things with the Lions organisation.

“I volunteer for Stepping Stone Hospice in Alberton, mainly on the fund-raising side and it has been a privilege and a pleasure to be associated with this very worthy and noble organisation. I joined when they just started out and they have grown in the five years which is indicative of the great need for a facility like this in our community. A place where you have the best of palliative care, by dedicated and compassionate staff.

“There have been so many other momentous times and projects undertaken over the years, too many to mention. Many ‘highs’ and ‘lows’, tears and much laughter, however, the memories will remain forever.

“My message to all, especially the youth, no matter what your circumstances are, there is always someone who is worse off than yourself and you can rise up from your circumstances, embrace your challenges and make a better life for yourself,” concluded Dot.

Read: https://comarochronicle.co.za/149883/lions-christmas-cakes-go-down-a-treat/

Or: https://comarochronicle.co.za/150561/worthy-recipient-for-cake/

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