Do a good deed and help those in need
"If people keep giving, I will keep distributing."
Winter is coming and for many residents this is not too much of a problem.
For the homeless, however, winter poses another challenge and increased hardship.
An SAPS reservist initiative, started by Reservist Constable Elize Filotto, hopes to make the lives of homeless people a little bit easier
Elize, who has been a reservist for the past 10 years, was previously a volunteer paramedic.
“I like helping and making a difference,” said Elize.
The initiative kicked off in 2015 and was started by chance.
“The organising of last year’s event was started two days before the donations were handed out. The 2015 donations had an impact and made a huge difference to the lives of the 15 people who received the donations,” said Elize.
This year the group had a head start.
“People have been very helpful. The objective is not to encourage reliance but to do a good deed and help those in need; many people in communities are prejudiced towards homeless people.
“Sometimes they are going through some rough luck. The initiative hopes to give the homeless some dignity. In many packs, there were basic necessities, deodorant and simple things that people take for granted,” said Elize.
She described the recent hand-over as a success.
The group was able to assist 28 homeless people and Elize hopes to make the donations a continuous project.
“If people keep giving, I will keep distributing,” she said.
She thanked those who supported the initiative.
