THE Association for the Aged (Tafta) celebrated Arbor Day with a meaningful initiative of planting seeds of hope at the John Dunn Home in Wentworth.

Also read: Tafta flash sale raises much-needed funds

Residents and staff rolled up their sleeves to pot trays of seeds, celebrating the beginning of spring and the power of community. The exercise also served as a way to generate much-needed funds to help finance Tafta’s large operating loss.

The initiative was made possible through the generous donation of Starke Ayres, which offered peat blocks and 153 trays of six seeds for planting, and additional stock for Tafta home gardens. Once grown, the seedlings will be sold and the proceeds generated will be directed toward funding the organisation’s essential care and support services for seniors.

Kim Simmonds, the John Dunn’s wellness activities co-ordinator, said the project initiative was aimed at engaging residents and staff members in a practical fundraising activity. She added a special spoil for the residents was enjoying the fresh fruit salad served after they worked on their planting skills.

Femada Shamam, CEO of Tafta, applauded the innovativeness and collaboration that went into the project.

“We invited all our staff to contribute ideas to our fundraising initiatives, no idea is too big or too small. I’m especially inspired that this effort was sparked by someone in our accounts department, proving that every individual can make a difference. Equally exciting is the support from a corporate partner, Stark Ayres who had joined us in bringing this idea to life. We have been able to not only plant seeds but also inspire our staff and residents to actively participate in fundraising efforts. We are deeply grateful to Starke Ayres for their generosity and vision,” said Shamam.

Jerome Zondagh, regional sales manager at Starke Ayres, highlighted the value of meaningful partnerships. “At Starke Ayres, we believe in finding innovative ways to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Partnering with Tafta has allowed us to use our products to directly support older people in a way that is practical, sustainable and empowering. This initiative reflects our commitment to nurturing not just gardens, but communities,” said Zondagh.

For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox.