Go Turquoise 4 the Elderly campaign launches in Joburg

From 15 May to 15 June, South Africans are requested to show their support for older persons by wearing a turquoise ribbon and filling turquoise cosmetic bags with toiletries and donating them to elderly people in their community.

Go Turquoise 4 the Elderly is an awareness campaign that appears on the national calendar of awareness days. The campaign is community driven, supported and managed by the non-profit organisation, Plesion, which is administered by a board of directors.

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The campaign in Joburg strives to improve awareness about older persons, said Joburg organiser, Mavis Royeppen.

The goal, said Royeppen, is to accomplish better safety, respect, love and care for the most vulnerable sectors of our society.

“Turquoise bags can be filled with toiletries or snacks and distributed among older persons in the community,” she said.

These bags are obtainable from her at R10 per bag and R5 per ribbon.

As an NPO, the organisers said they support other community development organisations through increased awareness and opportunities for fundraising where possible.

Royeppen said she encourages citizens to play their part in the Joburg campaign. “The campaign will be held at various local schools, churches and shopping malls but we would like to encourage corporate businesses, medical service providers, community organisation and religious bodies to come on board. We have partnered with Balfour Park Mall, Lyndhurst Spar and still waiting for confirmation from Norwood Mall, Greenstone Mall as well as other local schools and churches.”

Royeppen said the City of Joburg’s Department of Social Development is the major partner and fully supports this campaign throughout the City.

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Details: mavisroyeppen@yahoo.com. Or 074 294 9425.

Edited by Beryl Knipe

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