Alex’s ‘Mother Teresa’ to benefit from blanket drive

Alexandra’s own Mother Teresa, Marjorie Mangamnyi of Itlhokomeleng Old Age Home will be one of the two beneficiaries of a Nedbank blanket drive.

Known as the Nedbank Winter Campaign, the blanket drive was launched with fanfare at the Melrose Arch Piazza, where guests were exposed to the harsh realities of winter by being asked to lie on a gigantic ice bed specially made for the occasion.

The guests had to lie on the bed for five minutes or obtain 100 tweets which requested them to be freed, using the hashtag #WarmerWinter. Which ever came first, they were then freed and the hashtag was meant to raise funds for the blanket drive to benefit Itlhokomeleng and the Johannesburg Child Welfare Society.

The bank’s Kone Gugushe said the bank had invested R3,2 million in the campaign over the past five years which translated into 16 500 blankets donated to close to 36 000 people.

“Today’s launch seeks to remind fellow South Africans that each of us can do something to make a positive impact on someone else’s life,” she said. “Over the past years, we have received amazing support from all corners of the country, and we are confident that through the generosity and support of Nedbank employees, our clients, the public and all members of society, this year’s campaign will be an even greater success.”

Anyone can contribute R20 towards the blanket drive by SMSing the word ‘winter’ to 40017, or donate a minimum of R100 to Nedbank Savings Account: 2001120915 using Winter as the reference. Alexandra’s St Michael’s Anglican Church Choir provided the entertainment at the event.