The residents of about 3 000 households in Northmead enjoyed a day of fun in the sun at Laerskool Northmead on September 7 in support of the Avenue Residents’ Association (ARA) under the banner Unity and Community.
According to Sumari Bornman, a member of the ARA committee, the day’s events aimed to drum up further support for ARA and allow local businesses to interact with the community.
“Our organisation was established during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic as a means of supporting those who were battling depression and anxiety amid the isolation period,” she explained.
“Our services extended to providing food parcels to needy residents, while our partnership with Super Cops saw residents embark on regular safety patrols in the community.”
ARA’s birth has also seen the community band together to reclaim their suburb through regular clean-ups with the Homestead Helpers for Benoni and Clean Projects.
“Our mission is to mobilise Northmead residents to reclaim our streets,” Sumari said.
“Service delivery across all government departments is sorely lacking. We have two options – groan and complain or unite with our neighbours to keep our suburb clean and safe.
“We further hope to encourage residents to support our local businesses, thus contributing to our economy.”
Part of the activities saw young Northmead residents each receive a tomato plant sponsored by the Green Thumb Nursery.
“We want to encourage residents to start growing their own veggies, which, in time, will see our food-sharing initiative grow,” said Sumari.
“We are challenging the kids to tend to their plants, and the one whose plant bears the most fruit by December will receive an exciting prize.
“This will hopefully motivate entire families to get their hands dirty when they enjoy the great benefits of sustainable gardening.”
For more information on ARA or becoming an active member, email info.avenuesra@gmail.com or WhatsApp the chairperson, Marinda Beukes, on 082 920 1548.
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