Blankets will go a long way
They will be doing this to do their part for Mandela Day on July 18 and need as many blankets as possible.
Imagine a cold night in the middle of winter, with no blanket, jacket or even socks. Just an open field.
This is the life of so many who live on the streets and have no other choice. Pastor Given Mavasa from Greater Emalahleni (GEM) along with Maureen Scheepers, operations co-ordinator of SACCW (South African Community Crime Watch) have decided to donate blankets to those who need it most.
They will be doing this to do their part for Mandela Day on July 18 and need as many blankets as possible.
Past Given said that they will give them to people staying in shacks, who have no other means to keep warm or those living on the street or in open spaces like fields and more.
He added: “We have spoken to those addicted to drugs and asked them whether they will sell the blankets. They replied with a very stern ‘NO’ and said that they have to keep warm. The winter is also one of the main causes for people who overdose on drugs as they are taking much more drugs in an attempt to keep warm.”
He continued by stating that they are hoping to prevent such overdoses by handing out blankets.
He said that they will also be handing out soup to those living on the street. “We will be going to them, where they stay and presenting them with a blanket and some soup, as well as jackets, socks and more if we get such,” he added. “We will also encourage them to go to a rehabilitation centre and we work very closely with Sanca and we then help those who want to be helped and get them involved with GEM. Here we help those who do not have the funds to help themselves, we give them the motivation they need and send them for skills development if they really show growth and improvement.”
He said that they help them get out of their current situations and once they have been to rehab, they will need blankets and clothes as they don’t have money to buy anything.
“We are calling on the community to let us know if they know of someone who might be in need of help, who we can give a blanket to and who we can visit on that day. We can only go to those we know of,” Past Given added.
He stated that he hopes the community will open their hearts and support this great initiative.
Anyone willing to contribute can contact Past Given on 072 814 1802 or Maureen on 082 565 6770.
“We have a rehabilitated drug addict who is now off the street and who is now sleeping in a shack in Spring Valley. He needs a blanket to stay warm this winter.”
