Olympia Football Club (FC) at the Italian Club in Bedfordview gave the children from St Lawrence Children’s Haven a fun-filled day on July 16.
The children were treated before the start of school in celebration of Mandela Day.
Founders and house mother and father of St Lawrence Children’s Haven Abigail Branders and Richard Malan help 37 children at a home in Roodepoort.
The home has been around for 16 years and is a haven for children ranging from the ages of six months to 20 years old from different economic backgrounds.
Also read:Â Club creates opportunities for youngsters
“We don’t get any government subsidies. We get by purely on donations,” said Abigail.
Abigail said that they have had a long relationship with food and beverage manager at the Italian Club, Miro Marks and was not surprised when they got an invite for the day.
Olympia FC hosted 13 children from St Lawrence Children’s Haven.
Cindy Vaglietti, the events and functions co-ordinator at Olympia FC and Italian Club said that they wanted to give the children freedom for the day to do what they want.
“We want to help homes that don’t get help from the government and St Lawrence Children’s Haven really needs the help,” said Cindy.
Also read:Â Olympia FC wins 5-0
The day started and 10am and ended at 3.30pm.
The children were treated with food, jumping castles, soccer, ice-cream, party packs and they made their own pizzas.
“We are grateful for all the community donations, including medicine for St Lawrence Children’s Haven,” said Cindy.
Olympia FC and St Lawrence Children’s Haven thanked Guiliano Loddo, Linda Moore from Choc, Marco di Lembo, Alessandro Pentene, Helen Michaels, Animal Clinic, Stallion Security and Stems and Flowers.
They also thanked club members for donations, Angelo and Giardano Vaglietti from Olympia FC, Hurlyvale Primary School and Super Sconto for food donations.
To donate or volunteer, contact St Lawrence Children’s Haven on 079 66 7783, 011 760 2504 or email childrenshaven@yahoo.com or visit the website www.childrenshaven.co.za
