Spreading some Christmas cheer
During this time, we are reminded that there are many people who don't have families and many of them are children.
The Christmas season is known as a time for giving – a time to remember those less fortunate than us and a time for families to spend quality time together.
We know all these things, and we know that this is also the true spirit of Christmas.
During this time, we are reminded that there are many people who don’t have families and many of them are children.
That is why, about three years ago, the Johannesburg Care Foundation was established to address the needs of orphans and the elderly.
The Johannesburg Care foundation is a registered NPO (Non-profit Organisation) with the Department of Social Development (DSD) and a Public Benefit Organisation with SARS that support charities.
The foundation deploys people all around Johannesburg, in shopping centres, to wrap gifts for those fortunate enough to afford to buy them.
Ms Petro Ronge, who is stationed in front of Checkers in Greenstone Crescent, said they wrap people’s gifts at a fee and the money goes to the charity organisations the foundation works with. She said she does not mind travelling from Krugersdorp to Greenstone Crescent everyday because she loves helping those in need, particularly children.
“We don’t tell people how much to give us for wrapping their gifts because it is up to a person to decide how much they want to give. We appreciate any amount they give us,” said Ms Ronge.
She decided to work for the foundation because she is passionate about helping the needy.
She also urged the community to give whenever they can because there are a lot of needy children and elderly people.
Mr Llewellyn Ryan, the founder and chairman of the Johannesburg Care Foundation, said the foundation has a number of beneficiaries that receive the funds made by the foundation.
Their beneficiaries include the Jordan House for the Elderly, the Soweto Care of the Aged, the Roodepoort Care for the Aged, Ladies of Hope Hospice, St Nicholas and St Joseph’s Home, the Rainbow Children’s Village, TAB Julies Pre-primary School, Khulanolwazi Day Care Centre, AFM Eldorado Park Ophanage, Zibazibambele Primary School and the UTI dance group.
Mr Ryan said the foundation does not receive any funding from the Government, DSD or the Lotto, and are dependent on private and corporate donors.
“Our mission is to make a difference to the lives and condition of the poor, hungry and forgotten by raising funds of love, of kindness, of understanding and of peace. We also have different feeding projects which covers children and the elderly in previously disadvantaged communities,”said Mr Ryan.
“The Johannesburg Care Foundation’s work is to assist welfare organisations that are unable, or do not have the capacity, to procure funds or implement projects due to their severe budgetary constraints by connecting individuals and business to support them.
“The aged and children are our main focus and the Foundation’s Constitution requires the support of these target groups materially or financially,” he said.
He urged the community to check and make sure the organisations they donate to are registered.
#YourStory
